2025-26 National Success in the Heart
Heart programs and student-athletes excelled across the NAIA landscape, showcasing the conference's depth, competitiveness, and commitment to success both individually and collectively.
Team National Champions
Six Heart programs captured NAIA National Championships during the 2025-26 season:
Individual National Champions
Heart student-athletes claimed 17 individual national championships across wrestling and track & field competition.
Grand View's men's wrestling program produced four national champions: Gabe Gonzales (133 lbs.), Elijah Larsen (149 lbs.), Kris Ketchum (174 lbs.), and Garavous Kouekabakilaho (197 lbs.).
William Penn women's wrestling earned four national champions with Mia Palumbo (110 lbs.), Christianah Ogunsanya (117 lbs.), Esther Kolawole (138 lbs.), and Piper Fowler (180 lbs.), while Jumoke Adekoye of Dickinson State also claimed a national title.
In track & field competition, Heart student-athletes continued their success on the national stage. Park University's Cody Hammond captured national championships in the men's indoor 800 meters and men's outdoor 1500 meters. Benedictine College's Owen Nolte won the men's indoor 3000-meter racewalk, while teammate Joe Loughman secured the men's outdoor javelin national title.
William Penn University's Koby Higginbotham earned national championships in the men's indoor 60-meter hurdles and men's outdoor 110-meter hurdles. Central Methodist University's Haley Bellamy captured the women's indoor pentathlon national championship, and MidAmerica Nazarene University's Nikiwe Mongwe won the women's outdoor 400-meter national title.
Major National Award Winners
Heart student-athletes and coaches also earned 14 major national awards during the 2025-26 season, receiving recognition as the top performers and leaders in their respective sports.
Grand View University's Jackson Waring was named the NAIA-AFCA Football Player of the Year, while Benedictine College head coach Joel Osborn earned Football Coach of the Year honors. Benedictine's Rashad Beckham was also recognized nationally as the recipient of the Rimington Award.
Grand View continued its national success in men's soccer as Kevin Ventura was named NAIA Men's Soccer Player of the Year and head coach David Groves earned Coach of the Year honors.
Mount Mercy University's men's bowling program swept multiple national honors as Blake Walsh was named Player of the Year, Jacob Bockstie earned Rookie of the Year recognition, and Cassidy Courey was named Coach of the Year. On the women's side, Mount Mercy head coach Andy Diercks was recognized as the NAIA Women's Bowling Coach of the Year.
In wrestling, William Penn University's Jake Kadel earned NAIA Women's Wrestling Coach of the Year honors, while Grand View University's Grant Henderson was named NAIA Men's Wrestling Coach of the Year and Garavous Kouekabakilaho was selected as the NAIA Men's Wrestling Player of the Year.
Benedictine College's women's lacrosse program also earned top national recognition, with Kaylen Moore being named NAIA Women's Lacrosse Player of the Year and Clare Hanson receiving Coach of the Year honors.
National Recognition
Heart student-athletes earned 208 All-America honors throughout the 2025-26 season, highlighting the conference's continued success across all championship sports.
National Championship Participation
The Heart was represented by 49 qualifying teams at NAIA National Championship events during the 2025-26 season. Conference institutions competed across a wide variety of sports, including cross country, soccer, volleyball, football, basketball, bowling, cheer and dance, baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, golf, and men's volleyball.
Continuing a Tradition of Excellence
With six team national championships, 17 individual national champions, 208 All-America honors, and 49 national championship qualifiers, the Heart once again demonstrated why it remains one of the premier conferences in the NAIA.
The accomplishments of Heart student-athletes, coaches, and programs throughout the 2025-26 season reflect a continued commitment to excellence and a tradition of competing for championships on the national stage.
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