Maggie Ramold | Sports Co-Editor

The number of transfer students at Buena Vista University (BVU) has increased during the 2013-2014 year, and with that comes several of those students who are or want to become student athletes on campus. Junior Shelby Wiederhoeft and sophomore Nick Wuebker are two student athletes who transferred to BVU to continue their athletic careers.

Wiederhoeft, originally from Truman, Minnesota, started off her collegiate career at Bethany Lutheran College participating in both volleyball and basketball. She decided to transfer after her sophomore campaign to attended BVU.

“Bethany Lutheran did not have a special education program, so BVU was a great place to pursue what I wanted to do with my life,” Wiederhoeft said.

Wiederhoeft was excited she was able to play both volleyball and basketball here at BVU while pursuing the degree she wanted. She has thoroughly enjoyed her time as a Beaver, and she contributes that to her teammates.

Both Head Volleyball Coach Lori Slight and Head Women’s Basketball Coach Janet Berry contributed to Wiederhoeft’s final decision to attend BVU. Each has helped Wiederhoeft become a better athlete in both sports.

“Coach Slight made me feel like this campus would be a good place for me to come, while Coach Berry has helped me become a better basketball player,” Wiederhoeft said.

During the volleyball season, Wiederhoeft was named Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) Defensive Player of the Week, which hadn’t been awarded to a BVU volleyball player since 2004. She also contributed to the varsity women’s basketball team for the season, averaging 10.6 points per game.

“As for sports in our conference, I feel like the IIAC is much more competitive than my previous conference. It has been a good chance to improve and try to be more competitive in the IIAC,” Wiederhoeft said.

Wuebker, a men’s basketball player from Ayrshire, Iowa, transferred to BVU in December of 2012 from Wayne State College where he was a part of the men’s basketball team. He decided to attend BVU to play for Coach Van Haaften and the rest of the Beaver basketball team.

The 2013-14 season turned out to be a successful one for Wuebker. He was named IIAC Defensive Player of the year to go along with averaging a team high of 7.4 rebounds per game.

“The best part of Beaver athletics is the fan support from students all the way to alumni,” Wuebker said.

Photo by Stephanie Steiner