2011 Patriots of the Year; The Top 5

As the year draws to a close, CFPatriots.com lists the top 20 current and former Patriot student-athletes of the 2011 calendar year. The rankings are based on the player's contributions in 2011 to CF and/or a four-year college or professional team at the next level.

Previously: #20 - #16; #15 -# 11; #10 - #6

The countdown concludes with the top 5 Patriots of 2011:

5. Markeshia Grant (WBB)

Among the most gifted playmakers in Lady Patriot history, Grant has grown into one of the SEC's most dynamic players in her senior year at South Carolina.

4. Kevin Foster (MBB)

Faced with the difficult task of replacing a CF legend, Foster carved his own legacy in leading CF to a conference championship, a trip to the state semifinals, an All-America nod and a scholarship to Fresno State.

3. Vanessa Benke (Volleyball)

No player embodied the explosive debut of CF volleyball like the program's first All-American, a humble Brazilian freshman who proved to be a fearsome, intimidating force when the season went live.

2. Ricardo Ratliffe (MBB)

CF's career leading men's basketball scorer has become a star at the highest level of NCAA competition, earning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors as a junior and lifting Missouri into the NCAA top 10 as a senior.

1. Marty Smith (Baseball)

A fixture of Patriot baseball for nearly three decades, starting with his time in the middle infield in the mid-1980s, Smith celebrated his 500th victory as Patriot head coach in March.