Perez Named Coach of the Year, Eight Wildcats Earn All-KCAC Flag Football Honors

WICHITA, Kan. - After advancing to their second straight conference semifinal, Baker head coach Willy Perez was named KCAC Coach of the Year and the Wildcats had a total of eight players earn all-conference honors as the KCAC announced its 2025 Women's Flag Football All-Conference selections and individual award winners on Friday morning.

In his second season since starting the program in 2023-24, Perez guided the Wildcats to a 7-2 record in conference play, earning the third seed in the KCAC Conference Tournament where they reached the semifinals for the second consecutive year.

Overall, the Wildcats had eight players make up 13 of the total spots on the all-conference list with Kaley Phillips (DB) and Sanija Waller (UTIL) landing on the All-KCAC First Team, Jaylin Harris (WR), Mahagonay Simmons (LB) and Gabriella Zabaletta (LB) joining Phillips and Waller on the second team, while Melanie Assmar (DB), Kayla Harrison (Rusher) and Destiny Martinez (LB) all earned honorable-mention honors.

Phillips, who was also a second-team selection at wide receiver, recorded a team-high six interceptions and helped lead a BU defense that posted five shutouts this season. The junior transfer from Hesston College led a balanced wide receiver corps with 58 catches and tallied 11 touchdowns.

After an honorable mention nod last year, Waller occupies three spots on the all-conference list this year with a first-team selection for utility and a pair of second-team offensive honors for running back and screen blocker. BU's do-it-all player racked up a total of 21 touchdowns with 15 passing, three rushing and three receiving.

Harris joins Phillips and Waller on the All-KCAC Second Team Offense after leading Baker with 12 receiving touchdowns. Simmons and Zabaletta had a couple of all-conference laurels with the linebacker duo being named to the Second Team Defense to go along with their offensive honorable mentions. Assmar and Martinez earned honorable mention recognition on defense.

Perez becomes the sixth BU coach to receive a conference Coach of the Year award this season, joining Sean Dooley (men's basketball), Chris Gilbert (women's golf), Tucker Pauley (football), Lynsey Payne (dance) and Trent Scheer (men's basketball).

Baker finished off the program's second season of competition with a 13-9 record overall and competed in its second straight NAIA Flag Finals, advancing to the semifinals of the Championship bracket on a thrilling last-second touchdown to give BU a pair of wins in the NAIA postseason tournament.

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