The 2013-14 athletic season was one of transition, one of inspiration, and one where again, our local athletes put on a show worthy of merit on the biggest stages. In defining a year’s worth of achievement, we present our Top 10 lists of both area individuals and teams. The accomplishments span all three calendar seasons – fall, winter and spring – and our lists will be split into four days of recognition. The team and individual lists will be split in half, spotlighting No. 10 through No. 6 and then No. 5 through No. 1 of the respective lists.

Without further adieu, here are the lists. Let’s begin with No. 10 and Whitko’s Tyler Baugher, who emerged as one of the more aggressive and accurate tennis players to play for the Wildcats in some time.

Tyler Baugher

10. Winning Wildcat – There’s no denying that Tyler Baugher closed out his senior season in style last fall. The Whitko standout won his No. 1 singles match in a sectional loss to host Warsaw to advance to the regional round for individual player.

Baugher, who held down the top spot in the lineup for the Wildcats his final three years, went 22-14 over his final two prep campaigns. Along the way, he collected plenty of accolades for his work on the court. Baugher was the Three Rivers Conference champion at No. 1 singles, along with a three-time team MVP for the Wildcats.

Baugher, who also played basketball for the Wildcats, also earned TRC Academic All-Conference honorable mention plaudits for his performance in the classroom.

Baugher plans to play tennis at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne.

Brenna Morgan

9. The Future Is Now – It is an individual list here, but to pinpoint just one of the outstanding freshmen swimmers from the area would be criminal. Both Warsaw and Wawasee had talent arrive in bunches this season, and the impact made was immediate and substantial.

Wawasee’s girls team had potentially the biggest impact from its rookies. Paige Miller, Madison McBride, Shelby Adams and Bridgette Yoder all made huge contributions for a team that won a conference title for the first time since before any of them were born. Miller would perhaps make the biggest dent, winning four conference and sectional titles before swimming a pair of consolation events at the state finals. Adams would contribute in the sectional success and help with a leg of the 200 relay team at the state finals.

Warsaw also had huge contributions from its freshmen. Brenna Morgan stepped into the spotlight right away in winning NLC titles in the 50 and 100 freestyles, then was part of four sectional titles, breaking the sectional record in the 50. At the state meet, Morgan even surprised herself with a consolation win in the 100, landing ninth overall. Coach Nate Long also had freshmen Charlene Orr and Allison Miller step forward with quality efforts during the season.

On the Tiger boys side, Hudson Snyder moved right into the mix in helping the 200 free relay team to a sectional title and was third in the sectional individual medley. Classmates Matt Hastings and Andrew Gauger also helped Warsaw score points at the sectional, providing key depth for the future.

Abby Schue

8. If The Schue Fits – If you were to ask Abby Schue about being named to this list, she would probably disagree.

Schue is one of the most team-oriented players that Warsaw athletics had to offer this past year. Her leadership skills and infectious personality made her an obvious choice to be named team captain by head coach Peter Lucht for her senior season. Schue embraced the role and helped led the Lady Tigers to yet another stellar season on the soccer field.

Schue, goalkeeper for Warsaw, had a fantastic final season. After losing a lot of offensive firepower the year before with the graduation of Meredith Hollar, the Lady Tigers needed their defense to remain strong in order to find success in 2013. Schue was the leader of that defense in goal. Of Warsaw’s 11 wins, Schue stood strong, tallying nine shutouts including both sectional games. The two sectional performances helped lift Warsaw to its seventh title in school history before falling to Northridge in the regional.

Schue capped her memorable senior season by being named first team all-NLC. Warsaw fans won’t have to go far to see her talented play or friendly smile as she will play for Grace College this fall.

Nikki LaLonde

7. Not Your Average LaLonde – To watch someone go through so many ranges of emotions in one setting was worth the wait on its own. Having to agonize over an hour of scoreboard shuffles at the East Noble Regional and just before that, a splashdown on her final hole, left Warsaw golf senior Nikki LaLonde on pins and needles. As the final scores came in, LaLonde learned she had reached state with the final qualifying score, making the drama all worth it.

LaLonde helped lead Warsaw to back-to-back Northern Lakes Conference team tournament titles, and aided the Lady Tigers to the regional after a top-three at the sectional. While LaLonde’s team did not advance to the state finals, finishing fourth, LaLonde would play in the two-day finals, shooting a 94-87-181 in her second appearance at state.

Just as impressive off the golf course, LaLonde signed on to continue her golf career at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne but holds a lengthy résumé of student organizations and off-campus service projects. LaLonde also graduated in the top 20 of her class, which will come in handy at the academically sound university in Fort Wayne.

Tristan McClone

6. Ground Gainer – Tristan McClone ate up huge chunks of yardage the past two seasons on area gridirons.

The Warsaw star ran around and through opponents to the tune of 1,522 yards and 18 touchdowns his senior season last fall. That effort came after a junior year which saw him set the school single-season record with 1,718 yards to go with 16 touchdowns.

McClone, a tri-captain for the Tigers his senior season, led coach Phil Jensen’s team to a 7-4 overall mark and a spot in the Class 6-A sectional final. He also set the program single-season rushing mark in 2012 with 322 yards and a single-game record tying five touchdowns in a win at Northridge.

McClone, a 5-11, 210-pounder, earned All-NLC and All-State honors. He will play football at Marian University in Indianapolis.

For good measure, McClone was one of the senior stars this spring for the Warsaw boys track team. He helped Warsaw win conference, sectional and regional championships. McClone also earned All-State honors in track as he teamed with Michael Miller, Tanner Balazs and Gabe Furnivall to place eighth at the State Finals in the 4 X 100 relay on June 7. McClone also competed as an individual in the 100-meter dash at State, finishing in 28th place.

HONORABLE MENTION – Jacob Brock, Lakeview Middle School football – In one of the best shows of sportsmanship, Jacob Brock scored a touchdown for Lakeview against Edgewood. It didn’t bring a state title, it didn’t ink Brock a shoe deal or win anyone a fantasy football title. But the moment was probably the most exciting and deserving touchdown scored all season.