For Immediate Release
Welch College Receives High Athletic Awards from the NCCAA
GALLATIN, TN—The National Christian College Athletic Association distributed the men’s and women’s basketball awards at the National Basketball Championship Tournament in Joplin, Missouri, on March 8–9. Welch College Athletic Director and head men’s basketball coach Greg Fawbush was named the National Coach of the Year for the NCCAA II men’s division. This award was his second significant award this season, following his being named Mideast Region Coach of the year on February 23, in Lansing, Michigan. Coach Fawbush led the Flames to a nineteen-win season and helped the Flames to be ranked in the top ten on two separate occasions this season.
Abby Bragg received the Dr. Marti MacCullough Award for the NCCAA II women’s division. This award, representing the NCCAA’s Game Plan for Life initiative, is the highest one given each year. Although it includes athletic accolades, it is primarily based on Christian character and leadership. Abby is the all-time leading scorer for the Lady Flames and was First Team All-American last season. Maci Bowman and Olivia Delk were also named to the Second Team All-American.
These awards finished off a historic year for the Welch College athletic program. Mitchell Moody received the Elvin and Joyce King Award in cross country in November 2022, which is the highest award given in cross country by the NCCAA. The cross country team also had three runners qualify for the national meet: Mitchell Moody, Nathan Shute, and Hannah Barnes. Moody also won the first Welch College Invitational race held in September 2022.
The Lady Flames volleyball team made history by winning the regional tournament and qualifying for the national tournament. Ashleigh Sage was named regional player of the year and First Team All-American. Meg Gates and Michaela Pinkerman were named Second Team All-Region. Kenadee Osbourne made the all-regional honorable mention team.
The Lady Flames basketball team was ranked in the top ten in every ranking this year. They also received several awards: Olivia Delk, First Team All-Region, Regional Newcomer of the Year, and Second Team All-American; Macey Bowman, First Team All-Region and Second Team All-American; Abby Bragg, Second All-Region and Game Plan for Life award winner; Faithe Johnstone, regional freshman of the year.
The Flames basketball team won nineteen games for the first time since returning to full-time NCCAA play. They were ranked in the top ten twice throughout and produced two five-game winning streaks throughout the season. JC Chapman was named to the First Team All-Region, EJ Byrd made Third Team All-Region, and DJ Estes was named to the regional honorable mention team. “This was a historic year for the athletic program at Welch College,” Fawbush said. “We had two athletes receive the highest awards in their respective sports from the NCCAA. We also had three All-Americans and a regional championship. The historic year is attributed to the hard work of our coaches: Katie Bryan, Emma Guthrie, Matt Bracey, Jon Wilson, Malik Mims, Claire Ryan, and Joy Brown. Our players embraced our culture this year, and God honored their hard work.”
For more information regarding Welch athletics, contact Greg Fawbush at gfawbush@welch.edu or visit our website at welchathletics.com.