Peru State athletic director Steve Schneider announced recently that basketball player Shelbie Hess (Phoenix) and football player Tyler Ford (Lincoln) were selected as the Bobcat Athletes of the month for December.

Hess was selected as the female athlete of the month having earned Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Player of the Week on Dec. 2. Hess had a career-high 25 points while shooting 68% from the floor, including making four of six three-point tries. Hess also tied for team-high rebounding honors in the loss to St. Ambrose and also dished out two assists.

Currently, Hess leads the team in scoring, averaging 17.6 points per game. The scoring average places her second among all HAAC players. In addition, Hess is second in total scoring (264), tied for fifth in total steals (27), tied for fifth in offensive rebounds per game (3.00), tied for sixth in double doubles (3), seventh in three-point field goals made per game (1.80), seventh in total three-point field goals made (27), seventh in total rebounds (108), eighth in steals per game (1.80), eighth in rebounds per game (7.20), tied for eighth in three-point field goal percentage (.346) ninth in field goal percentage (.380), 11th in free throw percentage (.692), and tied for 11th in defensive rebounds per game (4.20)

Ford is being recognized as the male athlete of the month as he earned numerous honors following the football season. His honors included both athletic and academic recognitions.

Athletically, Ford's honors include AFCA NAIA Coaches' All-America First Team, HAAC Football First Team All-Conference, Omaha World-Herald NAIA All-Nebraska First Team and Captain for the Offense, and 2013 BSN All America Second Team. His selection as to the American Football Coaches Association NAIA All-America Team was Peru State's first honoree since 2006.

On the academic side, Ford was named to the Capital One Academic All-America College Division Football Team having earlier been named to the Capital Football Academic All-District First Team. In addition, Ford was named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete.

Schneider commented, "Shelbie and Tyler are good selections to be honored as the December Athletes of the Month. Shelbie has established herself as a leader on the women's basketball team while Tyler has done so in the football program. I am proud they are Bobcat student-athletes."