June 4, 2026 | Waxahachie, TX — The 2025–2026 athletic year will be remembered as one of the most successful and transformative years in Nelson University Athletics history.
Across courts, fields, tracks, and digital arenas, Nelson student-athletes continued to demonstrate what it means to compete with excellence while pursuing the University's mission of developing students academically, physically, and spiritually. Championships were won, records were broken, national rankings were achieved, and countless student-athletes represented Nelson University with distinction.
From national tournament appearances and conference championships to All-Americans and Coach of the Year honors, the Lions continued to raise the standard across nearly every program. More importantly, every accomplishment reflected the heart of Nelson University Athletics: pursuing excellence while glorifying Christ.
Baseball
The Lions Baseball program delivered one of the most memorable seasons in school history. Under the leadership of Head Coach Matthew Cornacchione, Nelson established itself as a legitimate national contender, earning just the second NAIA Top 25 ranking in program history.
The Lions collected statement victories throughout the season, highlighted by a win over No. 1 LSU Shreveport and a road sweep of No. 4 LSU Shreveport, results that captured the attention of the entire NAIA landscape.
Andrew "Drew" Ortiz highlighted the season with a Top 5 play on NCCAA Plays of the Month, SAC Player of the Week honors, and recognition for academic excellence within the Criminal Justice program. TJ Sweat also earned NCCAA Student-Athlete of the Week honors after a dominant stretch at the plate that powered the Lions through a perfect 4–0 week.
Nelson placed three players on the NCCAA Central Region First Team and two more on the Second Team following the historic campaign. Leading the way on the First Team were shortstop Odnal Rivera, graduate outfielder Andrew Ortiz, and redshirt-junior pitcher Reagan Smith. Joshua Pinter and freshman reliever Luke Edmonds saw strong representation on the Second Team.
Though the season ended one win shy of extending their Opening Round stay, the Lions firmly established themselves on the national stage during a historic postseason run in Bellevue.
Esports
The digital Lions reached new heights under Head Coach Caden Primm. Nelson Esports continued its rapid rise on the national stage as seven of the program's twelve teams qualified for postseason competition. Rocket League completed an undefeated season while both Rocket League and Call of Duty secured Top 4 finishes nationally.
The program demonstrated exceptional depth, discipline, and teamwork throughout the year while continuing to expand its influence across collegiate esports.
Women's Track & Field and Cross Country
History was made repeatedly for the Lady Lions throughout the 2025–26 season.
The program shattered school records, achieved some of the highest conference and regional rankings in school history, and reached a milestone never before accomplished at Nelson University when Women's Cross Country earned national recognition in the NAIA Top 25 Poll. Kylie Adams emerged as one of the program's premier competitors, earning both NCCAA Student-Athlete of the Week and SAC Athlete of the Week honors during a remarkable season.
The year reached its pinnacle at the Lions Athletic Complex as Nelson hosted its first-ever collegiate track and field meet, the inaugural Nelson Invitational, before delivering one of the greatest achievements in program history at the SAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
In a dramatic championship battle that came down to the final events, the Lady Lions captured their first-ever Sooner Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship, edging Oklahoma City by a single point, 131–130. The victory completed a historic sweep for Nelson Athletics, as both the men's and women's programs claimed conference titles on their home track.
Several Lady Lions delivered championship performances throughout the meet. Jaylyn Kechter captured the SAC title in the javelin with a throw of 38.52 meters, while Alyssa O'Malley cleared 2.93 meters to win the pole vault and provide crucial points in a championship decided by the narrowest of margins.
The conference recognized Nelson's historic season with an impressive collection of All-SAC honors.
First Team All-SAC: Alyssa O'Malley. Second Team All-SAC: Autumn Crouch, Anna Green Skylar Morris, Robyn Puente. Third Team All-SAC: Kylie Adams, Elena Charping, Bella Jeffreys, Khloe Johnson, Leanna Jackson, Jessica Otwell, Miranda Sosa, Kai Taylor
The Lady Lions established a new standard of excellence and secured their place in Nelson University history.
Men's Track & Field and Cross Country
The Lions Track & Field and Cross Country programs continued their rise among the conference's elite, culminating in one of the most successful seasons in program history.
Joseph Helm opened the year with standout performances on the cross country course, earning NCCAA Student-Athlete of the Week honors. Throughout the season, Lions athletes continued to break records, achieve personal bests, and establish themselves among the top competitors in the conference and across the NAIA.
The breakthrough moment came at the SAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, where the Lions captured their first-ever conference championship. Nelson accumulated 141 points over three days of competition, showcasing remarkable depth and dominance across the throws, sprints, jumps, and distance events.
Leading the charge was Ishmeal Ealoms, who delivered one of the most dominant performances of the championship meet. Ealoms was crowned the SAC Men's Individual Champion after scoring 28 points through an outstanding multi-event performance that included:
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Discus Throw Champion – 47.79m
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Hammer Throw Champion – 48.37m
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Shot Put Champion – 14.40m
His performance anchored a Lions squad that controlled the meet from start to finish.
Brandon Clark Jr. continued to establish himself among the NAIA's premier field athletes, earning multiple SAC Athlete of the Week honors while competing on the national stage. Across every event group, the Lions demonstrated the depth and consistency that ultimately powered them to a historic conference championship.
The SAC recognized Nelson's remarkable season with numerous All-Conference selections. First Team All-SAC: Ishmeal Ealoms, Gregory Guidry, Hunter Morgan, Jaxon Salzman, Darryn Weaver Second Team All-SAC: Brandon Clark Jr., Latrel Davis, Hudson Woods
The success of both programs reflected the vision and leadership of Head Coach Robert Herrera, who was named both SAC Men's Coach of the Year and SAC Women's Coach of the Year after guiding the Lions to a historic sweep of the conference championships.
From cross country season through the final outdoor meet of the year, the Lions continued to raise the standard, proving that Nelson Track & Field has become one of the premier programs in the Sooner Athletic Conference.
Men's Soccer
Perhaps no program captured the imagination of Lion fans quite like Men's Soccer. Under Head Coach Cesar España, Nelson continued its resurgence with back-to-back winning seasons and secured the program's first SAC Tournament appearance since 2015.
The Lions then authored one of the most memorable postseason runs in school history. After capturing the NCCAA Central Region Championship, Nelson advanced to the NCCAA National Championships in Kissimmee, Florida, ultimately reaching the National Semifinals.
Joel Palmer, Amir Raime, Pascoal Manuel, and numerous others delivered key moments throughout the season, while Javaughn Hines emerged as one of the nation's premier defenders. Hines earned NCCAA All-American honors and was recognized as a Kyle Rote Jr. Award winner for his accomplishments on and off the field.
The season represented more than wins and losses, as it showcased the culture, belief, and momentum that continues to define the future of Nelson Men's Soccer.
Women's Soccer
The Lady Lions continued building on the momentum that has defined the program in recent years.
Damaris Solis made an immediate impact, earning SAC Player of the Week honors early in the season, while Daisy Altamirano established herself as one of the conference's most dangerous attacking threats. Altamirano, Mackenzie Gonzalez, Daisy Ruiz, and Stephanie Hernandez all earned NCCAA All-Central Region recognition as the Lady Lions advanced to the NCCAA Regional Championship.
The season was marked by growth, attacking creativity, and a commitment to competing at a high level every match. With a strong core returning, the future remains bright for Nelson Women's Soccer.
Softball
The Lady Lions once again represented Nelson University with toughness, resilience, and pride. Throughout the season, the team delivered thrilling victories, memorable senior moments, and numerous highlight-reel performances. Competing with grit and determination every time they stepped onto the field, Nelson Softball continued building a culture defined by perseverance and competitive excellence.
The program's commitment to growth and development remains evident as the Lady Lions continue to move forward with confidence because Nelson University Softball saw multiple student-athletes recognized by the Sooner Athletic Conference following the conclusion of the 2026 season, as the Lady Lions continued building momentum against one of the NAIA's toughest softball leagues.
Leading the way for Nelson were Layla Oliver and Elena Mendez, who both earned Second Team All-SAC honors, while Avery Coleman was named the program's Gold Glove Award recipient.
Women's Basketball
The 2025–2026 season will forever hold a special place in Lady Lion basketball history.
Under SAC Coach of the Year Michael Sons, Nelson produced the finest season the program has ever seen, finishing 22-7 and improving by thirteen wins from the previous year. The Lady Lions returned to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time since 2009 and established a new benchmark for excellence within the program.
Paris Miller led the way with a spectacular season that earned First Team All-Conference and First Team NCCAA All-American honors. Lauryn Scalice was named SAC Sixth Woman of the Year, while Ashley Gonzalez and Kate Miller earned All-Conference recognition. More than the awards and accomplishments, this team transformed the trajectory of the program and established a championship-level culture that will impact Nelson Women's Basketball for years to come.
Men's Basketball
The Lions once again demonstrated why they remain one of the premier programs in the NAIA.
Led by SAC Coach of the Year Delton Deal, Nelson captured its second consecutive SAC Regular Season Championship while compiling a 26-6 overall record and an undefeated road record. The Lions spent multiple weeks ranked among the nation's Top 10 and finished the year ranked No. 5 nationally.
Micah Clark delivered one of the greatest individual seasons in program history. The senior guard earned SAC Player of the Year honors, First Team NCCAA All-American recognition, and First Team NAIA All-American status after leading the conference in scoring.
Jesse Iweze was named SAC Defensive Player of the Year, Ozavian Buford earned SAC Freshman of the Year honors, JJ Boling received All-Conference recognition and the SAC Sportsmanship Award, and Trelin Green emerged as one of the conference's premier playmakers. The season was defined by excellence, togetherness, and the program's enduring philosophy of Pure Joy.
The culture remains strong. The standard remains high. And the Lions continue to climb.
Football
The Lions Football program continued making significant strides under Head Coach Jared Hudgins. Highlighted by a thrilling 52-50 double-overtime Homecoming victory over Langston and a record-setting 96-yard touchdown run by Quinton Jones, the season featured numerous memorable moments.
Zach Fuller earned First Team All-SAC honors after emerging as one of the conference's top receiving threats. AJ Shields, Amin White, Judah Holtzclaw, Brandon Clark, Juan Neaves, and Johnathan Bloom also earned All-Conference recognition. Off the field, multiple Lions earned NCCAA Scholar-Athlete honors, demonstrating the program's commitment to excellence in the classroom as well as on the field.
The foundation continues to strengthen as Nelson Football builds toward an exciting future.
Volleyball
Volleyball once again proved to be one of the flagship programs within Nelson Athletics. In his first season as head coach, Nick Moore guided the Lady Lions to both the SAC Regular Season Championship and SAC Tournament Championship while earning SAC Coach of the Year honors.
The Lady Lions finished 25-10 overall, 20-2 in conference play, and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament.
Taylor Cavazos and Mackenzie Smith earned First Team All-SAC recognition, while Cassidy Hargesheimer, Alexandra Bonnett, and Addison Standley earned Second Team honors. Bonnett was also named SAC Tournament MVP. The team also excelled academically, earning NCCAA Scholar Team recognition with a 3.59 GPA. The season reflected everything Nelson Volleyball has become known for: excellence, discipline, faith, and championship-level performance.
Celebrating the Best of Nelson Athletics
The highest individual honors of the year were awarded to two student-athletes whose impact extended far beyond statistics. Paris Miller was named the 2025–2026 Female Athlete of the Year after helping lead Women's Basketball to the best season in program history. Her leadership, consistency, and elite performance made her one of the top players in the NAIA.
Micah Clark earned Male Athlete of the Year honors following a historic campaign that included SAC Player of the Year recognition, NAIA First Team All-American honors, NCCAA First Team All-American recognition, and placement among the nation's elite players.
Together, they embodied what it means to be a Lion.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on another remarkable year, we celebrate more than wins, championships, and awards. We celebrate student-athletes who grew in their faith. We celebrate coaches who invested in young people. We celebrate teams that achieved excellence in competition and in the classroom. We celebrate a community that rallied behind its student-athletes and supported them every step of the way. Most importantly, we celebrate a mission that continues to impact lives far beyond the scoreboard.
Reflecting on the 2025–2026 athletic year, Director of Athletics Dr. Jesse Godding said:
"Nelson University had an unparalleled year of success in 2025–2026. Nelson enjoyed competitive success and players and coaches reaped the rewards of success on the field. Athletics excelled in the classroom with many teams posting record GPAs, and the athletic department posted the highest recorded annual GPA in school history. As Athletic Director, I am continually grateful for the young men and women who come to Nelson, excel on the field, in the classroom, while giving back to the community. The coaches and support staff are blessed to be able to serve these athletes in a place Where Lions Find Their Roar."
As one chapter closes and another begins, the future of Nelson University Athletics has never been brighter. The victories, championships, records, and awards from this season will forever be part of Nelson Athletics history, but the true legacy of 2025–2026 will be found in the lives impacted, the relationships built, and the growth experienced by every student-athlete who proudly wore the Lion logo.
Because at Nelson University, Lions don't just compete, Nelson Lions grow, serve, lead and hey find their roar. #WhereLionsFindTheirRoar
Nelson University is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.
