Daniel Baker and Sehren Martinez have been named Ceres High School’s Western Athletic Conference Male and Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year.

“I wasn’t aware the award was a thing,” Baker said. “It was definitely a huge surprise. It’s an honor to be recognized in that way. It means a lot. It’s humbling. It shows the hard work and time I put in paid off.”

“I’m not an attention person,” Martinez stated. “I actually didn’t know what the award was. It’s pretty cool. It means a lot people think that highly of me as a student-athlete.”

Baker and Martinez had cumulative grade-point averages of 4.26 and 4.0, respectively.

“I’m proud of what I was able to accomplish,” he said. “I definitely poured my heart into the school and its athletic programs.”

“My parents and brother had a big impact on me,” Martinez said. “They always emphasized sports won’t last forever but education will take me very far.”

Baker earned five varsity letters during his prep athletic career, including two in both football and track and field, and one in wrestling.

He was a two-way starter in football as a senior.

“It was really nice to be relied on in such a way,” he said. “There was a lot of growth I achieved. I’m proud of that. I wasn’t good my junior year. It was a struggle.”

Baker logged playing time at linebacker and guard as Ceres High made program history this past fall.

The Bulldogs compiled an 8-3 overall record, finished second in the Western Athletic Conference standings (5-2) and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III playoffs.

Just three teams from Ceres High have won eight or more games in the past 37 years.

The Bulldogs went 9-4 and 8-4 in 1985 and 1988, respectively.

Ceres High annexed its first winning season since 2003.

The Bulldogs snapped a seven-year losing streak versus the crosstown-rival Hawks. Ceres High claimed the Ceres Classic perpetual trophy with a thrilling 21-20 win over Central Valley.

Baker and his Bulldog teammates proved a lot of doubters wrong.

“There was definitely a sense of respect on campus,” Baker said. “We had a team we could be proud of. It was a culmination of a lot of hard work. We put a lot of emphasis on the weight room. I expect that to continue.”

Baker developed into a standout player under coach Brett Johnson’s guidance.

“He’s such a smart kid,” Johnson said. “He was very durable. I don’t think he missed a snap.”

“I spent a lot of time with him (Johnson),” Baker added. “I was so blessed to have him as a coach. He’s a phenomenal person. He’s an incredible leader. He really cares about the program. He loves what he does.”

Baker earned all-WAC honors this past season for his outstanding play on the offensive line.

Ceres High averaged 30.4 points and 319 yards of offense per game.

The Bulldogs scored 45 touchdowns, including 29 rushing and 16 passing, in 11 games.

Baker totaled 42 tackles, four fumble recoveries, three interceptions and one forced fumble at linebacker.

“I definitely worked hard,” Baker said. “But I didn’t expect it to fully translate like it did. I got a lot stronger in the offseason. I spent a lot of time in the weight room. I understood the position more. Film study was huge for me.”

Martinez earned six varsity letters, including four in softball and two in volleyball.

“I definitely missed a lot of events,” Martinez said while talking about her social life. “It wasn’t such a big sacrifice. I’d rather practice or go to the gym.”

Martinez helped Ceres High’s softball team continue its winning tradition.

A four-year varsity standout, Martinez filled a key role in propelling the Bulldogs to a pair of conference titles and two playoff berths.

“She’s such a great leader and teammate,” head coach Mike Corsaut said. “She works hard. She’s so humble. She doesn’t like the spotlight.”

Martinez enjoyed her best season to date this spring with the Bulldogs, who posted a 15-8 overall record, finished in a three-way tie for first place in the WAC standings (11-3) and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-II playoffs.

She batted .554 from the plate on the season with two homers, seven triples, 11 doubles, 31 RBIs, 32 runs and eight stolen bases.

She made just two errors while starring at shortstop on defense.

“I played more loose and had more fun this year because I verballed to Cal Poly in September,” Martinez said. “I knew my future for the next four years was set.”

Martinez earned first-team all-league honors senior, junior and sophomore years.

She batted .469 with two homers, seven triples, 20 doubles, 59 RBIs, 69 runs and 22 stolen bases in 48 career games.

Martinez committed just six errors.

The Bulldogs totaled 56 wins.

“She’s one of the best shortstops to come through Ceres,” Corsaut said. “She ranks up there with Meghan Franksen and Sis Bates. She’s a great player.”

Martinez will be the second person from her family to compete at the college level.

Brother Haadyn, a 2017 Ceres High grad, played basketball for Luther College in Iowa.

“I’ve always looked up to him,” she said. “Our relationship has always been competitive. We’re very hard-headed and want to always win.”

Martinez earned a softball scholarship to NCAA Division-I Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

“It’s a dream come true,” she said. “I worked for this the past 7-8 years.”

Martinez will major in psychology.

“I plan on getting my masters to become a clinical psychologist,” she said.

Baker will focus on academics at Modesto Junior College.

He’ll major in kinesiology.

He’s considering becoming a personal trainer.

Baker will help coach freshman football at Ceres High this fall.

“I want to pursue the coaching path and see if I can do that as a full-time career,” said Baker, who plans to transfer to Stanislaus State after earning his A.A degree from Modesto JC.