Liberty University Club Sports Athletics
Club Sports Choice Awards 2026
Join us for a memorable evening as we celebrate a year of hard work, teamwork, and athletic excellence at the Club Sports Choice Awards. This special end-of-year ceremony recognizes the outstanding achievements of our club sports teams and student-athletes—honoring exceptional performances, leadership, and dedication on and off the field.
Enjoy a night of celebration and community as we look back on the season’s highlights, present awards across multiple categories, and honor the individuals and teams who made a lasting impact.
Student Service Awards
Given to the student volunteer or student worker who goes above and beyond to give freely and unselfishly of their time to the Club Sports Department and its teams.
Student Service Award:
Wade Westlake | Men's D1 Hockey
Wade Westlake has faithfully served Men’s D1 Hockey for the past three years, offering his time, knowledge, and expertise in analytics both at home and away games without compensation since his freshman year. His commitment reflects a true servant’s heart, consistently putting the needs of the team above his own and showing up with reliability, humility, and excellence. Wade’s behind-the-scenes contributions have played a meaningful role in the team’s success, and his selfless dedication and passion for serving others make him a highly deserving nominee for the Student Service Award.
Community Service Award Nominees
Given to the qualifying team, student-athlete, or coach who goes above and beyond to give freely and unselfishly of their time to community activities and charitable organizations.
Community Service Award:
Women’s Synchronized Skating Team
The Liberty University Synchronized Skating Team truly embodies the spirit of selfless service, using their time, talents, and platform to make a meaningful impact in their community. While they pursue excellence on the ice, they remain equally committed to serving others off of it through outreach efforts such as volunteering with Lynchburg Daily Bread, supporting Samaritan’s Purse initiatives, and creating handmade blankets for children at Carilion Children’s Hospital. They regularly come together to prepare snack packs, assemble Christmas gift boxes, and serve families in need in intentional and tangible ways. Rooted in their shared faith, the team approaches every opportunity to serve with Christ-like love, humility, and compassion, and their dedication to making a difference beyond the rink makes them a truly deserving recipient of the Community Service Award.
Academic Excellence Awards
Given to a graduating senior with a 4.0 who demonstrates the highest of academic excellence in their field of study or who is involved in various extracurricular activities that are of benefit to the University.
Female Academic Athlete:
Emerson Oakes | Women's D1 Hockey | Biomedical Sciences
Emerson Oakes has demonstrated exceptional academic excellence while balancing the demands of Women’s D1 Hockey and her studies in Biomedical Sciences. Her discipline, work ethic, and commitment to growth extend beyond the classroom, as she contributes meaningfully to her team and the University community. Emerson’s pursuit of excellence in all areas makes her a deserving nominee for this award.
Male Academic Athlete:
Benjamin Bizeau | Men's Swimming | Mechanical Engineering
Benjamin Bizeau has demonstrated exceptional academic excellence while balancing the demands of Men’s Swimming and his academic pursuits. His discipline, strong work ethic, and commitment to growth are evident in both the classroom and in competition. Benjamin’s dedication to excelling in all areas and contributing to the University community makes him a deserving nominee for this award.
Academic Team of the Year:
Given to the Club Sports team with the highest cumulative team GPA who demonstrates the highest of academic excellence in their fields of study.
Women's D1 Hockey
The Women’s D1 Hockey Team has demonstrated outstanding academic excellence while balancing the demands of a highly competitive athletic season. Their collective commitment to success in the classroom reflects a culture of discipline, accountability, and pursuit of excellence. Through their hard work and dedication, they have set a strong standard for what it means to represent their program and the University well, making them a deserving recipient of the Academic Team of the Year award.
Academic Integration Awards
Given to the Club Sports athletes who have been successfully embedded into a designated area of study within Club Sports. Going above and beyond the requirements in their field of study to willingly serve the Club Sports department.
Female Academic Integration Award Nominees:
Delaney Austin
Delaney stands out as an exceptional communicator who consistently demonstrates initiative and a readiness to step in wherever needed. Her dedication to Women’s D1 Hockey, both in and out of season, highlights her commitment to the team and the program as a whole. With over 450 hours contributed this year, Delaney has proven to be reliable, proactive, and deeply invested in her role. Her ability to lead through communication and her willingness to go above and beyond have made a meaningful and lasting impact on those she serves.
Emely Gomez | Winner
Emely has been a dedicated member of the program since 2022 and has made an extraordinary impact through her consistent service and leadership. Contributing over 600 hours this year alone, she exemplifies diligence, positivity, and professionalism in every aspect of her role. Her commitment to Men’s D2 Hockey and the broader Club Sports community is evident not only in her work ethic, but in the meaningful relationships she has built along the way. Emely’s ability to serve with excellence while uplifting those around her has left a lasting mark on the program, one that will continue to be felt well beyond her time in Academic Integration.
Jenna Nicely
Jenna is one of the most dependable and hardworking individuals within Club Sports, consistently showing up with a strong work ethic and a servant-minded attitude. She is deeply committed to her role in Academic Integration and is always seeking out ways to better support her teams and peers. Jenna approaches every responsibility with intentionality and care, and her passion for serving others is clearly reflected in the excellence and consistency she brings to her work. Her steady presence and commitment make her an invaluable part of the program.
Male Academic Integration Award Nominees:
J.C. Greiner | Winner
Josh has made a significant and far-reaching impact across multiple teams, including Men’s D1 Hockey, Men’s D3 Hockey, Beach Volleyball, Men’s D2 Hockey, Wrestling, and Triathlon. His willingness to serve wherever needed reflects both his versatility and his team-first mindset. Josh consistently demonstrates a strong desire to learn and grow, asking thoughtful questions and actively seeking opportunities to improve in his role. He goes above and beyond expectations by making himself available outside of scheduled times and investing in meaningful relationships with both the teams he serves and his fellow integration students. His dedication, humility, and commitment to excellence make him incredibly deserving of this recognition
Josh WIlliams
JP demonstrates an unmatched work ethic and a deep commitment to excellence in all that he does. His dedication to Men’s D1 Hockey is evident in the consistency, effort, and intentionality he brings each day. He approaches his role with a high standard, continually going the extra mile to ensure his team is supported at the highest level. JP not only excels in his own responsibilities but also sets a strong example for those around him through his discipline, reliability, and positive influence. His impact is felt both on and off the field, making him a valued member of the program.
Nick Belzer
Nick has done an exceptional job balancing the demands of being a rowing athlete while continuing to grow and elevate the team’s social media presence. He consistently creates meaningful and engaging content that captures the essence of the team and allows viewers to feel genuinely connected to the athlete experience. Nick approaches his work with creativity, intentionality, and a strong sense of purpose, using his platform to highlight his teammates and showcase the program in an authentic way. His dedication and innovation have significantly increased the program’s visibility, leaving a lasting impact on the team’s brand and outreach.
Academic Partnership Award: Associate Dean, Dr. Michelle Goodwin
Given to the Liberty University dean or professor who has embraced the vision of Club Sports and come alongside of the department to provide hands on experience for their students. They have given freely of their time, resources, and students to assist Club Sports in expanding their University footprint.
Dr. Michelle Goodwin has been an invaluable partner to Club Sports, consistently offering her support, expertise, and engagement in ways that have significantly strengthened the Academic Integration program. Her investment in the success of students is evident through her willingness to collaborate, provide guidance, and help create meaningful opportunities for growth and development. Through her leadership within the School of Education, Dr. Goodwin has played a vital role in bridging the gap between academics and hands-on experience, ensuring students are equipped not only with knowledge, but with practical skills that will serve them beyond their time at Liberty. Her commitment to excellence and student development has directly contributed to the continued success and expansion of Academic Integration within Club Sports. Dr. Goodwin’s partnership reflects a shared mission of investing in students holistically, and her impact will continue to be felt through the lives and experiences of those she has helped shape.
Perseverance of the Year Awards
Given to the male & female student-athletes who have triumphed and overcome obstacles or injuries during their Liberty University athletics career.
Female Perseverance of the Year Nominees:
Anna Messerschmidt | Gymnastics
Overcoming two knee reconstruction surgeries over the past three seasons that left doubts about whether she would ever compete in the sport again, Messerschmidt managed to land a routine that contributed to the Lady Flames’ finals qualifying team score with her top-three finish in the uneven bars at the Flipping Flames Invitational with her 9.5 finish. In the NAIGC finals, she set the tone for the team’s gold medal performance by sticking a 9.2 routine on bars, a huge redemption showing for her after suffering a hard crash on that event in the preliminaries two days before.
Elise Collette | Triathlon
Following a horrific car accident this season, Collette overcame physical and emotional setbacks by trusting in God’s plan. She competed for a deeper purpose, reflecting resilience, selflessness, faith, and grit, as well as a consistent work ethic, humility, and an unwavering commitment to her team. At the Collegiate National Championships, she once again demonstrated extraordinary courage. After being struck by another cyclist and requiring five stitches mid-race, she finished with blood running down her leg. “Collette does not simply overcome adversity,” Head Coach Heather Gollnick said. “She leans into it, grows through it, and inspires everyone around her.”
Kyleigh Engle | Dance | Winner
Showcasing strength, integrity, and deep-rooted faith, Engle walked through an extraordinary season of loss and responsibility with tremendous grace and courage. After unexpectedly losing her father to a heart attack in June 2024 and her uncle to cancer in March 2025, she decided to fully invest in her team, pouring into her teammates spiritually and emotionally, even while navigating profound grief. While taking on increased responsibility at home, helping to care for her mom and younger brother, she remained steady and present with her teammates, continuing to uplift those around her as a powerful testimony of perseverance through loss and triumph through trauma. During the College Classic in Orlando, Fla., Engle sustained a back injury in a freak accident when the bleacher chairs broke, requiring her to be removed on a stretcher. Despite significant pain, she returned to compete the next day, exemplifying mental toughness, determination, and unwavering commitment to her team by leading with honesty and vulnerability, pointing to her faith in Jesus and the hope she finds in Him as her source of strength.
Male Perseverance of the Year Nominees:
Cameron Brandenburg | Ski & Snow
When a fall during a practice run resulted in a season-ending knee injury his junior year, Brandenburg remained in close connection with his team throughout his nearly year-long recovery, traveling to Bend, Ore., to support his teammates at the USCSA National Championships. He returned to the travel roster this past fall, making the most of his senior season, landing multiple podium finishes before helping the Flames place second overall in the men’s freestyle ski team standings at nationals in Lake Placid, N.Y. Since his freshman season, Head Coach Tyler Sherbine said Brandenburg put in more hours than anyone on the team at the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre to progress in his freestyle skiing in Rail Jam, Slopestyle, and Big Air, the event in which he capped his career with an 11th-place showing at nationals.
Macguire Graham | MD3 Hockey | Winner
After spending his freshman season as a defenseman on the Division II men’s hockey team, Graham faced two invasive surgeries at the start of the fall semester, with both requiring extensive rehabilitation. Though he was not expected to return until next season, he worked relentlessly to recover, making his way back onto the ice by the start of the spring semester, helping Liberty’s Division 3 men claim their first AAU national championship while also serving as one of the team’s Disciple Makers.
Thomas Dyson | Lacrosse
Dyson dislocated his shoulder in an early-season practice before working his way back into the lineup in late March after steadily progressing through his rehabilitation and cardiovascular conditioning, never missing a practice, and maintaining a positive attitude through the adversity. While he was sidelined, he still contributed to the team by echoing his coaches’ instructions to the players on the field during games, showcasing encouraging vocal leadership.
Breakthrough Award
Given to the qualifying team or athlete, whose performance exceeded expectations from the previous year.
Team Breakthrough Award Nominees:
Equestrian Team (Western)
For the first time, the Lady Flames advanced two riders to the Nationals Reining Horse Association (NRHA)/International Horse Shows Association (IHSA) Western Semi-Finals held March 21-22 in Las Cruces, N.M. Senior Angel Lundin finished fifth in Beginner Western Horsemanship and junior Alex Dixon landed in fifth in Open Horsemanship, with both narrowly missing IHSA Nationals bids with top-four showings. Liberty qualified six riders for the Region 4 Championships at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., with Dixon the Reserve Champion in Open Horsemanship, and Lundin the Reserve Champion in Beginner Horsemanship.
Rowing Team | Winner
The same lineup that captured a gold medal for Liberty in the Women's Novice 4 at last season's ACRA National Championships in Oak Ridge, Tenn., struck gold again in the Women's Varsity 4 final in last month’s SIRA Championships at the same location. The Lady Flames, led by junior stroke Mary Bailey, graduate Rebecca Couric, juniors Liza Perdew and Grace Cornell, and senior coxswain Anna Benjamin, overcame William & Mary's half-boat lead late in the 2,000-meter race before gaining separation down the stretch to win in 7 minutes, 43.7 seconds. That qualified the Lady Flames to compete in the May 15-17 ACRAs along with the women’s Novice 8 boat, which placed third among club programs at the SIRA regatta.
Taekwondo
The 14 members of Liberty University's taekwondo team that traveled to the National Collegiate Taekwondo Association (NCTA) Championships at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill rose to the occasion and overcame the odds to place sixth out of nearly 100 colleges and universities, and a total of 650 student-athletes represented. Senior Emily Sloane was Liberty's only multiple medalist, starting with a gold medal in Friday's red-belt breaking division and silver medal showing in sparring. The Flames and Lady Flames had two medalists in the Poomsae competition, including a first-ever gold medal from senior Katrina McMillen in the women's green belt division.
Rookie of the Year Awards
Given to the qualifying male & female freshmen or first-year student-athletes who are dedicated, positive, hardworking, and made an immediate impact to their programs.
Female Rookie of the Year Nominees:
Cambre Phillips | Women’s Beach Volleyball
Phillips, the younger sister of junior Kinley Phillips, made an immediate impact on the Lady Flames by emerging as the only freshman to consistently compete within the top three pairs throughout the season. Liberty’s winningest individual player in 2025-26, Phillips defeated high-level competition, including multiple NCAA Division I duos, and was recognized as the Lady Flames’ Offensive Player of the Year.
Charis Ng | Gymnastics | Winner
Ng won a gold medal for the NAIGC national champion Lady Flames in the balance beam finals with a 9.625 performance. Though she did not qualify individually for vault or floor exercise finals due to a severe heel injury and an ankle issue, she displayed exceptional mental toughness by posting scores of 9.825 on vault and 9.6 on floor during the team finals to boost Liberty’s championship total. Earlier in the season, Ng claimed first place on floor (9.55) and finished second in the All-Around (37.25) to lead Liberty to the team title at the Duke Dog Classic at James Madison University, then captured another floor title with a 9.8 at Liberty’s Flipping Flames Invitational. Performing some of the Lady Flames’ most difficult floor skills, Ng contributed to Liberty’s team score on both floor and vault at every meet.
Samantha Grimes | Women’s Ultimate
Grimes enjoyed a breakout spring season for the Lady Flames, playing on 228 points, nearly twice the team average, and scoring 16 goals. She has played in 130 D-line points, compared to the team average of 72. While emerging as one of Liberty’s key rookie players, Grimes’ mindset has remained teachable, and she shows up to practice determined to give it her all.
Male Rookie of the Year Nominees:
Brodie Altman | Men’s Wrestling
Followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, Wayne Smith — Liberty’s first national champion in 1976 — and his uncle, Christian Smith, former head coach Jesse Castro’s first recruit in 2006-07. Altman made his own mark this season by going 5-0 at 133 pounds to help the Flames finish 5-1 and place third at the NCWA National Duals at Utah Tech University over Valentine’s Day weekend. He then claimed the first of five individual titles at the Mid-Atlantic Conference Championships at the Liberty Indoor Track & Field Complex, enabling Liberty to reclaim the team title from Apprentice. At the NCWA Grand National Championships in Bossier City, La., Altman advanced to the consolation final with a 7-4 victory over Giancarlo Plaza of team champion Menlo University before earning All-American status with a fourth place showing.
Gavin Glossner | Shotgun | Winner
At the ACUI Collegiate Clay Target Championships at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Glossner finished tied for first in the Sporting Clays event, hitting 94 out of 100 targets, and tied for second in the Super Sporting Clays discipline, hitting 98, before winning tie-breaking shoot-offs for both. Glossner captured the combined Sporting Clays and Super Sporting Clays individual championship outright and placed a team-best 88th out of 737 contestants in the individual High Overall Award standings by hitting 550 out of a possible 600 targets to lead Liberty to a fourth-place team finish.
Syrus Castanaga-Acerra | Ski & Snow
Syrus Castanaga-Acerra earned an individual silver medal in the men’s snowboard Slopestyle at the USCSA National Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y., helping Liberty’s men’s snowboard team tie with Westminster for the Freestyle Combined title. He led the Flames in Boarder Cross by placing sixth — the first of three Liberty riders to finish in the top 15 — to secure the program’s first-ever team gold medal in the event. Castanaga-Acerra also placed eighth in Rail Jam, one of four Liberty riders in the top 10, contributing to another team silver medal.
Outstanding Performance Awards
Given to the qualifying returning athlete/individual athlete for his/her individual athletic achievements during a single event or tournament.
Female Outstanding Performance Nominees:
Alexandra Keith | Women's D1 Hockey
Keith, the Lady Flames senior goalie and alternate captain, made 29 saves in a 5-0 semifinal triumph over Michigan-Dearborn at the ACHA DI National Championships for her ACHA DI-record 13th shutout of the season and 21st as a team for Liberty. She improved to 22-0-1 with her third shutout at nationals, lowering her goals-against average to 0.85 and raising her save percentage to 96.0.
Equestrian Hunt Seat Team
After winning a tiebreaker with Sweet Briar College for the Region 4 regular-season crown, the Lady Flames qualified as a team and sent six individual riders to the Zone 4 Championships with their first-place Region 4 Championships showing Feb. 21 at Sweet Briar in nearby Amherst, Va. Liberty then placed third at the April 4 Zone 4 Championships at Goucher (Md.) College, qualifying three riders for the first time this past weekend’s IHSA National Championships in Mill Spring, N.C. Senior captain Aliyah Hardesty, the Reserve High Point Champion in Novice Flat; junior Sophie Battin, the Reserve Champion in Limit Flat; and sophomore Abby Griffith, who finished third in Intermediate Fences, advanced to nationals. The Lady Flames totaled 36 points — one shy of qualifying as a team to nationals — finishing just behind host Goucher.
Malaika Campbell | Gymnastics | Winner
A season after being selected as the Choice Awards Female Rookie of the Year, Campbell struck gold on both the vault (9.85) and floor exercise (9.65) and finished second in the All-Around category to lead Liberty’s gymnastics team to its first NAIGC team championship, April 11 in Birmingham, Ala. Campbell also finished sixth in the finals of both the uneven bars, scoring a 9.525 routine, and balance beam with a 9.174 score. At the third annual Flipping Flames Invitational, Campbell defended her All-Around title with her total of 38.45 out of a possible 40 points on the strength of first-place finishes on the vault (9.8) and uneven bars (9.75).
Male Outstanding Performance Nominees:
D3 Disc Golf Team | Winner
Liberty's top Division 3 men's disc golf team defended its College Disc Golf National Championship title with a completely different lineup from last season. Freshmen Eston Garcia and Thomas Job and sophomores Jay Norton and Collin Spiegel finished with a 12-under-par 35 on Round 4 for a 35-under total of 201 to separate themselves from runner-up Georgia (32-under 204). It was the Flames' third consecutive D3 national crown and fourth in the past five seasons.
Matthew Cook | Racquetball
The Flames’ junior No. 1 Division I men's player placed third in singles and fourth in doubles, teaming with his older brother, senior Nathan Cook, to lead Liberty to its fifth consecutive top-five finish at the USA Racquetball Intercollegiate National Championships in Minneapolis, Minn. The singles and doubles showings were the highest in program history.
Trey Thompkins | Men's D3 Hockey
Earned Most Valuable Player honors at the AAU Division III National Championships after anchoring back-to-back shutout performances in the Final Four. He made 28 saves in a 3-0 championship victory over St. John Fisher University, improving to 13-2 on the season with his second straight shutout. Thompkins also started the semifinal against Columbia University, playing the first two periods of Liberty’s 10-0 rout to help propel the Flames to their national title.
Champion Awards
Given to the qualifying male & female senior captains who have demonstrated commitment, leadership, and service to their teams through their athletic, academic and leadership performance.
Female Champion Award Nominees:
Anna Pemble | Equestrian
The senior nursing student and second-year team captain played a key role in leading the Lady Flames to a Region 4 regular-season team title and advancing to the Zone 4 Championships during the 2026 postseason. She earned Reserve Champion honors in the Open Flat division at the Region 4 Championships hosted by Sweet Briar College. Showcasing humility and servant leadership, Pemble helps navigate team challenges with clarity and care, communicates team needs effectively, and fosters a positive environment built on trust and unity. Her family has also helped cement her lasting legacy at Liberty, making a major contribution toward the expansion of the Liberty Mountain Equestrian Center, including the addition of a 3,040-square-foot welcome center to the main barn.
Brielle Fussy | Women's D1 Hockey | Winner
A second-year head captain who led a highly balanced offense with 17 goals and 22 assists, Fussy followed the example set by her older sister, Brityn Fussy, to leave a lasting legacy of excellence with the Lady Flames. As a senior, she became one of only six Liberty players to represent Team USA at the Winter World University Games in Italy, serving as an assistant captain alongside fellow forward Haley Battles. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Informatics: Healthcare and regularly making the Dean’s List, Fussy is currently pursuing her master’s degree. A Disciple Maker and spiritual leader on the team, she helped guide teammates in their faith and encouraged many to grow closer in their walk with Christ.
Faith Chun | Dance Team
The younger sister of former men’s lacrosse defensive standout Ben Chun, Faith is a graduate student and second-year captain for the Lady Flames who has demonstrated outstanding athletic performance and leadership throughout her time on the team. She is a technically strong, highly skilled dancer whose consistency, power, and dedication in every practice and performance elevate the team’s competitive excellence and set a standard for all members to follow. While serving as an athletic shepherd for Liberty’s NCAA Division I Track & Field team, she consistently models her faith in and outside of practice and competition, embodying the standard of what the Spirit of Liberty should look like. She leads with accountability and selflessness, often putting the team above herself and speaking the truth in love, even in difficult situations, which makes her an upstanding captain and a true Champion for Christ.
Male Champion Award Nominees:
Gideon Abbott | Rowing
As Liberty’s men’s team captain and a Disciple Maker for the past two seasons, Abbott exemplified a rare combination of high-performance rowing, selfless leadership, and commitment to team culture. After joining the Flames as a freshman with no prior rowing experience, he will graduate as a cornerstone of the program, known for setting a high standard in performance and accountability. In the erg room and on the water, Abbott rowed with consistency and determination while challenging teammates to elevate their focus and mindset. A spiritual leader who helped guide Bible studies and foster a strong team culture, Abbott leaves a lasting impact on Liberty rowing.
Luke Branham | Men's Lacrosse
The senior team captain was a top performer for the offense, netting a team-high 27 goals and distributing a team-high 22 assists after totaling 45 goals and 34 assists to spark the Flames to their first MCLA Division I national title in 2025. A five-sport athlete who also grew up playing basketball, hockey, baseball, and football, Branham eclipsed the 200-point mark for his career this season. Branham, a senior in the School of Aeronautics, emerged as a spiritual leader for the group this season, often guiding the team in prayer, Bible studies, Scripture readings, and life lessons. He followed the lead of older brother Cooper Branham and will leave a powerful legacy at Liberty.
Whittman Brown | Men's Swimming | Winner
A third-year team captain, Brown modeled a puritan work ethic and maintained a positive attitude in the pool, where teammates looked to him to be a steady presence in practice. Whittman helped lead the Flames to a third-place finish at the 2026 College Club Swimming National Championships, anchoring key relays and contributing 38 team points as part of the 400 freestyle relay. He also placed fourth nationally in the 200 freestyle (1:39.73), adding to a résumé that includes two national runner-up finishes in the event and gold-medal performances on the 800 free relay during his freshman and junior seasons. At the Eastern Region Championships, Brown anchored two winning relays and captured the 100 freestyle title as Liberty claimed its sixth consecutive regional crown.
Assistant Coach of Year Awards
Presented to the assistant coach who helped their teams achieve a high level of success athletically, academically, socially, and spiritually.
Female Team Assistant Coach of the Year Nominees:
AJ (Kenniv) Tan | Gymnastics | Winner
A former standout gymnast for the Lady Flames, Tan played an integral role in supporting Liberty Gymnastics both in and outside of practices at the Liberty Club Sports Complex. Working closely with Head Coach Jessie Lowe, she emphasized building deep relationships with each athlete and coaching from a holistic, person-first perspective. Tan invested heavily in the team’s spiritual culture, consistently discipling and encouraging her teammates while helping foster an environment rooted in faith, unity, and accountability. She played a significant role in shaping team culture, maintaining high standards while bringing creativity and meaningful team-bonding ideas to the program. Her impact was felt deeply as she helped support Liberty’s first-ever NAIGC National Championship team this season.
Ethan VanDePerre | Women's Beach Volleyball
A servant-hearted coach who genuinely cares for his players, VanDePerre helps Head Coach Payton (Carter) Davis lead the Lady Flames in a Christ-centered way that inspires growth both on and off the court. His players consistently commend him for his work ethic and dedication, as he regularly goes above and beyond to ensure they are supported, prepared, and encouraged. From tireless behind-the-scenes work to his energy and constructive presence during practices and matches, VanDePerre pours himself into serving the team. As a visible sign of his commitment and relational leadership, he even shaved his head to honor a promise made to his players on Senior Day. Through humility, sacrifice, and wholehearted service, he exemplifies the very best of a player-first assistant coach.
Mikayla Johnson | Women's Ultimate
Filling in for Head Coach Bethany Weldy at times during Weldy’s pregnancy, Johnson led the Lady Flames to strong showings at most of their tournaments this semester and a spiritually impactful retreat to the 30th annual High Tide Tournament in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., over spring break. She and Weldy guided Liberty to its highest ranking in program history, in the top 30 in the most recent USA Ultimate polls, and a 10th bid to the May 2-3 Atlantic Coast Regional Championships with a second consecutive third-place finish at the April 11-12 Virginia Conference Championships in Glen Allen, Va.
Male Team Assistant Coach of the Year Nominees
Jonathan Britton | Shotgun
A former sharpshooter for the Flames, Britton has excelled in his second season as an assistant coach, demonstrating exceptional commitment to the team while holding down a full-time job and managing his young family. He helped Head Coach Jacob Davis lead Liberty to a fourth-place showing in Division III at the ACUI Collegiate Target National Championships in San Antonio in March. Always on time, no matter the circumstances, he always stays locked and loaded, engaged and involved in anything the team is doing. A reliable mentor with tremendous insight as a former competitor, Britton knows how to manage the mental aspect of the various disciplines of shotgun sports and to calm down and encourage team members when they are struggling.
Jordan Stackpole | Men's Swimming | Winner
In his second season working with Head Coach Heath Grishaw, Stackpole provided exceptional behind-the-scenes support for the Liberty men’s swimming program with humility and resilience. While balancing his full-time role as the Liberty Natatorium’s Assistant Director of Aquatics, he consistently took on added responsibilities to serve the team, even while navigating serious family health challenges that added a significant personal burden during the season. A former Liberty swimmer from 2020–22, Stackpole brings maturity, compassion, and a team-first mindset to the coaching staff. Grishaw calls him an ideal complement to the program, praising his unity, care for the athletes, and servant leadership.
Stephen Patag | Men's Volleyball
A former setter on UCLA’s men’s club volleyball team, Patag served as a volunteer assistant coach for the past three seasons while completing medical school at the Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Leading by example and fueled by his love for the game, he worked primarily with the Flames’ Division II team while helping push the Division I program to a higher standard. Like Interim Head Coach Bryan Rigg, Patag deeply cared for each team member, becoming a trusted mentor and friend who encouraged both athletic development and spiritual growth. His Liberty coaching chapter concluded this spring as he accepted a residency position in Alabama, beginning later this summer.
Coach of the Year Awards
Presented to the male and female team head coach who helped their teams achieve a high level of success athletically, academically, socially, and spiritually.
Female Team Coach of the Year Nominees:
Elizabeth Hubbard | Dance Team
As a first-year head coach, Hubbard poured 100 percent into her team, coaching them to the next level at the College Classics National Championships in Orlando, Fla. The Lady Flames placed second in the Division I Large Poms competition, one spot higher than last season’s debut despite facing tougher competition. Hubbard spent this year building a positive culture for her team and helped put it on the map competitively. Her music choices and coaching style display the goal of honoring Christ through the sport of dance.
Jessie Lowe | Gymnastics
Lowe led Liberty to its first-ever NAIGC National Championship this season through a people-first coaching philosophy that prioritizes athletes as individuals before competitors. She emphasizes spiritual and academic development, reinforcing that gymnastics is what her athletes do—not who they are. Lowe consistently invests in the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of every gymnast, adapting her coaching approach to best motivate each individual while maintaining unwavering belief in her team. That encouragement has fueled continued growth in both performances and program culture, which reflects her strong, Christ-centered leadership. In addition to her work with the Lady Flames, Lowe is also involved in club gymnastics locally, and in January, she organized and led Liberty’s women’s gymnastics team on a mission trip to Clarkston, Georgia, where they hosted gymnastics clinics for refugee youth and shared the Gospel with families throughout the community.
Suzanne Flaig | Equestrian | Winner
Flaig has demonstrated exceptional reliability, resilience, and dedication to the Liberty equestrian program over the past two seasons, serving her team with consistency even while navigating personal challenges. The IHSA Region 4 Coach of the Year guided the Hunt Seat team to both the regular-season and Region 4 Championship titles at Sweet Briar College, qualifying as a team for the Zone 4 Championships at Goucher (Md.) College. There, Liberty produced a program-record three riders who advanced to the IHSA National Championships at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina. Proactive in practice and marked by humility and encouragement, Flaig not only articulates expectations but leads by example through her steadfast service, presence, and engagement with her student-athletes.
Male Team Coach of the Year Nominees:
Josh Wagner | Men's D3 Hockey
Mission-minded with the faith-driven purpose of Training Champions for Christ, Wagner achieved that goal as a team for the first time in Liberty Men’s Hockey history by leading the Flames to the AAU Division 3 National Championship in Jacksonville, Fla. The former Division II men's hockey forward at Liberty completed his third season as head coach by helping the team advance to the Final Four at nationals for the first time in three tries since shifting over from ACHA DIII. Assisted by Mike Williams, the team’s head captain for his first two seasons at the helm, Wagner’s Flames made a dominating run through the national tournament, finishing 4-0 and outscoring opponents 32-4, capped by a 3-0 triumph over St. Johns Fischer in a rematch of last season’s final round of pool play.
Kyle McQuillan | Men's Lacrosse | Winner
While this season’s team leveled off at 7-7 and hovered near the edge of the MCLA Division I Top-20, this award primarily honors McQuillan’s historic 2025 campaign. He led Liberty to its first MCLA Division I National Championship in Texas last May—after the Choice Awards were presented—while guiding the Flames to a third consecutive Final Four appearance and a defended Atlantic Lacrosse Conference Tournament title, earning MCLA Division I Coach of the Year honors. That same season, graduate attack Keaton Mohs became the MCLA DI all-time leading scorer and was named MCLA DI Player of the Year. A former Flames player from 2003–06, McQuillan has been instrumental in elevating Liberty into a perennial national contender and establishing the program among the elite in the MCLA ranks.
Steve Bowman | Disc Golf
A three-time nominee for this award, Bowman coached the Flames and Lady Flames to one of their strongest overall performances at April’s College Disc Golf National Championships in Rock Hill, S.C. While the Division I men’s team slipped into tie for 12th place out of 48 teams, and the Lady Flames’ Division 1 women’s duo of Cami Burdick and Grace Wilson came up one shot short of claiming their third consecutive national crown, Bowman played a steadying role in leading Liberty’s Division 3 men's team to its third title in a row and fourth in the past five national tournaments. He also coached the Flames' Division 2 Red team of graduate John Weathersby, freshmen Casey Stoope and John Wakimura, and junior William Hathaway to a three-way tie for third place out of 48 teams. In the 14th annual Flamethrower National Qualifier that he started, Bowman’s players earned at least a share of all four divisional titles played on Liberty’s Campus East course, as well as two professional courses in Bedford County.
Alumni Legacy Award
The Legacy Award is presented to the coach or team who demonstrates a commitment to meaningful engagement with their respective alumni.
Legacy Award Winner: Chris Williamson | Men's Wrestling
Coach Chris Williamson is being recognized with the Alumni Legacy Award for his exceptional commitment to alumni engagement, meaningful event development, and intentional stewardship throughout a critical transition in coaching leadership. As a club sports coach at Liberty University, he demonstrated a deep understanding that the wrestling program is not just built by current athletes, but by the generations who helped shape it. During the coaching transition, Coach Williamson prioritized clear, consistent, and personal communication with alumni, ensuring they felt informed, valued, and connected every step of the way. He cultivated opportunities for alumni to remain actively involved, reinforcing their sense of ownership and investment in the program’s future along with taking the lead on honoring his predecessor. Rooted in Liberty’s mission of Training Champions for Christ, his approach reflected humility, servant leadership, and a genuine desire to honor relationships, ultimately strengthening the program’s foundation both on and off the mat.
Athletic Recognition Awards
Presented to the qualifying individual male & female athletes based on their yearly stats and athletic accolades.
Female Athlete of the Year Nominees:
Amber Banghart | Figure Skating & Synchronized Skating
Banghart emerged as the figure skating team’s top point scorer during the regular season, finishing undefeated in the Preliminary Free Skate at all three Lady Flames Southeast Sectional competitions. The junior consistently excelled across disciplines, placing second in Pre-Bronze Pattern Dance and finishing in the top four in Juvenile Free Dance at each sectional event. At the intercollegiate national finals, she recorded top-six finishes in both individual events while also contributing to a third-place result in the Low Team Maneuvers event. A dedicated two-sport athlete and Disciple Maker on the synchronized skating team, Banghart continually takes initiative to encourage, uplift, and motivate her teammates. Her strong work ethic, humility, and consistency have made her a trusted and dependable contributor across both programs.
Cora Williams | Women's D2 Hockey | Winner
The junior forward and alternate captain was selected as the Lady Flames' first-ever recipient of the ACHA Division II Player of the Year award after ranking first in the league with 37 goals, including three game-winners, and second with 50 total points (including 13 assists). She helped Liberty win its first DVCHC Tournament title after being selected as the leagues regular-season MVP and helped the 23-3 Lady Flames finish ranked No. 1 in the Southeast Region and qualify for the ACHA DII National Championships near St. Louis for a third season in a row.
Faith Kiefer | Women's Wrestling
After defending her Mid-Atlantic Conference title by pinning both of her opponents at 180 pounds, Kiefer finished sixth at the NCWA Grand Nationals near Shreveport, La., to become the team’s first two-time All-American since her coaches, Head Coach Charisse (Manley) McIlhenny and Assistant Coach Cendall (Manley) Murphy accomplished that feat in the early 2020s. She split matches by fall in the championship and consolation rounds before falling to Grand Valley (Mich.) State University's Zamaria Hemingway late in the second period of their fifth-place final.
Male Athlete of the Year Nominees:
Eli Malek | Ski & Snowboard | Winner
Malek, a sophomore skier, won the men's ski Rail Jam to pace the Flames to a first-place team finish and placed second in the men's Slopestyle events to lead Liberty to second-place team showing at the Southeast Regional Championships at Snowshoe (W.Va.) Mountain Resort. He went on to finish sixth in Rail Jam, ninth in Slopestyle, and ninth in the Big Air competition at the USCSA National Championships on Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, N.Y. to lead Liberty to second-place team showings in all but the Rail Jam, in which they landed in third. The Flames tied for first with Westminster (Utah) University for the Freestyle Combined title.
Joshua Culpepper | Men's Volleyball
Switching back to his natural role of setter following his freshman season, when he played primarily outside hitter, Culpepper emerged as a dynamic catalyst for Liberty’s offense over the past three seasons, beginning with a year in which he was also one of the Flames’ top men’s beach volleyball players. An exceptional jump server both indoors and on the sand, his strengths include elite court vision, refined touch, all-around athleticism, and mental resilience, paired with a consistent spiritual focus that elevates his leadership and performance.
Mattox Allen | Men's Wrestling
Allen earned his second consecutive All-American finish at the NCWA Grand National Championships, following a 157-pound national title in 2025. The 2025 Choice Awards Male Rookie of the Year, he successfully defended his Mid-Atlantic Conference championship in 2026, winning the title bout after pinning his way to the final. While unable to repeat as national champion, Allen helped lead Liberty to a fifth-place team finish at the NCWA Championships in Shreveport–Bossier City, La. Following the season, he was among a select group of Flames who traveled to Las Vegas in late April to compete against elite NCAA Division I and NAIA athletes in freestyle competition.
Team of the Year Awards
Presented to the qualifying teams based on their athletic achievements during events, tournaments, and post-season championships.
Women’s Team of the Year Nominees:
Dance Team
Liberty's Dance team placed second in the Division 1 Large Pom category — one spot higher than at last season’s debut — and seventh in Division 1 Large Jazz after advancing to the finals for the first time at the April 11-12 College Classic National Championship in Orlando, Fla. Liberty’s preliminary pom performance earned it a score of 87.68 and qualified it for finals, where it placed second with a 93.00, narrowly missing a gold medal behind Baylor University's 93.16 and ahead of Oregon (third, 92.86) and Ohio (fourth, 92.38). In Division 1 Large Jazz, the Lady Flames posted a score of 88.98 in the preliminary round to reach the semi-finals. There, LU Dance scored 88.80, which qualified it for the final round, with 10 of the 24 teams eliminated. In the finals pool, the Lady Flames placed seventh out of 14 teams with a score of 91.94.
Gymnastics | Winner
Trailing Rhode Island and defending national champion Penn State after the preliminary rounds, Liberty’s women's gymnastics team saved its best performances for last in finals and captured its first-ever NAIGC team Championship at the Birmingham (Ala.) Jefferson Convention Complex. Sophomore Mali Campbell struck gold on both the vault (9.85) and floor exercise (9.65) and finished second in the All-Around by 0.75 points. As a team, Liberty totaled 113.975 points, paced by Campbell and freshman Charis Ng, the gold medalist on the balance beam with a 9.625 routine.
Women's D1 Hockey
On a team that featured four fifth-year team captains: forwards Zosia Adamek, Haley Battles, and Brielle Fussy, and senior goalie Alex Keith, as well as senior defenseman Emerson Oakes, Liberty finished 36-0-2, dropping only the last game of the fall semester and final of the ACHA DI National Championships to end its storybook season with heartbreak in triple overtime. In a back-and-forth battle, the top-ranked Lady Flames' quest for an eighth ACHA DI National Championship was denied by No. 2 Midland (Neb.) University, 4-3 on a power-play putback with 2:32 remaining in triple overtime. The epic 117-minute final between the top two seeds will go down as one of the most thrilling finals in ACHA National Championship history.
Men’s Team of the Year Nominees:
Men’s D3 Hockey | Winner
Liberty outscored its five opponents by a 32-4 margin, capped by a 3-0 triumph over St. John Fisher (N.Y.) University, to end its 26-2 season on a 19-game winning streak and raise the first national championship trophy in the men’s hockey program’s history at the March 10-15 AAU National Championships in Jacksonville, Fla. In a rematch of last season's pool play final, graduate forward and leading scorer Roman Lamoureux contributed a goal and two assists to spark the Flames’ attack. For the season, Liberty capitalized on better than 45 percent of its power-play opportunities while successfully killing off more than 90 percent of its penalties. The Flames repeated as ACCHL tournament champions with a 3-1 victory over the College of William & Mary in the final at the LaHaye Ice Center to clinch the No. 1 seed going into nationals.
Men’s Swimming
The Flames, who had finished runner-up to Purdue in the past three College Club Swimming National Championships, wrapped up third place out of a record-high 144 programs at last month’s meet at the Greensboro (N.C.) Aquatic Club behind only Cal Poly and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, teams buoyed by the additions of NCAA Division I swimmers to their rosters. In November, Liberty hosted the Eastern Regional Championships at the Liberty Natatorium, winning the event for the sixth year in a row. The Flames swam away with the title, racking up 1,455.5 points, more than the next three programs combined — the University of Virginia (706.5), Penn State (391.5), and George Mason (305.5).
Ski & Snowboard
The Flames earned a share of the Combined Freestyle title at the USCSA National Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y., their strongest showing since 2024, when they were the outright champions at the same venue. Liberty’s men’s snowboard team captured its first team gold medal in Boarder Cross, while the Flames’ snowboarders placed second and skiers third in the men’s Rail Jam. The Flames’ skiers also recorded second-place finishes in Slopestyle and Big Air, and Liberty’s snowboarders added another silver medal in Slopestyle.