Graceland University

Graceland University junior forward Virgil Walker Jr. was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference Men's Basketball player of the week Monday, Dec. 2. The Yellowjackets defeated Mount Mercy University in Closson Center 107-77, and Walker played a big factor in the win. He had a game-high 23 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals. He played 31 minutes in Graceland's rout of the Mustangs and went 9 of 12 from the field, much of which were in the first half as he helped the Yellowjackets score 51 points as a team. Walker is ranked in several NAIA Division I categories statisically including 15th in points per game (19.88), 16th in defensive rebounds per game (6.63), 19th in total rebounds per game (8.75), and 21st in field goal percentage (.600). This season, he is the team leader in both points and rebounds. He is also second on the team in assists and blocks. Each week, award winners are nominated by members of the Heart and selected by a voting panel of member institution Sports Information Directors.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University football student-athletes among the 2019 all-conference selections.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named a Graceland University women's soccer student-athlete among the 2019 all-conference selections.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University men's soccer student-athletes among the 2019 all-conference selections.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) named Graceland University women's volleyball student-athletes among the 2019 all-conference selections.

One Graceland student-athlete in each varsity sport was honored with the annual Freeman Award, an honor presented to a Graceland senior who, in their junior year, earned the highest cumulative GPA in their sport. This year's medals were presented before kickoff at the homecoming football game. A special plaque with the student's name will be placed in their coach's office to commemorate the studens' achievements, and as a reminder of the important role a coach plays in a student's collegiate life.

Each spring, Graceland University honors the student-athletes who have stood out throughout the year at the annual Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Banquet. Student-athletes are nominated by their respective coaches and then voted on by all the coaches in Graceland's athletics department.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) named Graceland University Baseball student-athletes among the 2019 All-Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) named Graceland University Softball student-athletes among the 2019 All-Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the 2019 Daktronics-NAIA Men's Volleyball Scholar-Athlete Team, and it includes student-athletes from Graceland University. In order to be nominated by an institution's head coach or sports information director, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, must appear on the eligibility certificate for the sport and have attended two full years as a non-transfer or one full year as a transfer student.

Graceland University Softball's Dakota Buttrey was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) Player of the Week Monday, Apr. 22. Buttrey smashed five homeruns in five straight games this week, a feat that had yet to be accomplished in the NAIA this season. She built upon her new career homerun record, now sitting at 31, and is the new Graceland University record holder for RBIs in a season with 44. Buttery recorded 14 RBIs and 10 runs on 13 hits on the week. Each week, award winners are nominated by members of the Heart and selected by a voting panel of member institution Sports Information Directors.

Graceland University Softball's Olivia Fluehr was named one of the Newcomers of the Year by the Heart of America Athletic Conference. A senior pitcher from Illinois, Fluehr finished the regular season with 15 wins, nine losses and two saves. She recorded 84 strikeouts and finished with an ERA of 2.24. At the plate, Fluehr posted a .567 slugging percentage with eight homeruns and 45 RBIs on the season.

Graceland University Football student-atheletes were named to the 2019 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society by the NFF and the College Football Hall of Fame. This is the first time in program history that members of the Graceland Yellowjackets football team have received this honor. The Hampshire Honor Society is comprised of student-athletes from all divisions of college football who maintained at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average during their college careers. Members must have completed their final year of athletic eligibility and be of senior academic standing.

Graceland University Track and Field's Kristol Vanterpool qualified for nationals in the triple jump with her "B" standard mark of 11.53 meters. She won the event by just over 0.60 meters.

Graceland University Track and Field's Payton Young qualified for nationals in the long jump with his mark of 7.13 meters, winning the event by a whopping 0.15 meters.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Men's Volleyball student-athletes among the 2019 All-Heart Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the 2018-19 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete Team and includes student-athletes from Graceland University. In order to be nominated by an institution's head coach or sports information director, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, must appear on the eligibility certificate for the sport and have attended two full years as a non-transfer or one full year as a transfer student.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Men's Basketball student-athletes among the 2019 All Heart of America Athletic Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

Graceland University Gadets competative dance team's Nicole Fry received All-American recognition from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). She is Graceland's first-ever dance All-American. To achieve NAIA All-America or honorable mention status, student-athletes participate in a tryout judged by officials, and All-Americans are determined by the scores. The Competative Cheer and Dance Coaches Association officers then confirm the list of scores and athletes. The very first NAIA competitive dance All-American teams were announced in 2017.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Women's Basketball student-athletes among the 2019 All Heart of America Athletic Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) officially announced Graceland student-athletes among the qualifiers for the 2019 NAIA Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field National Championships.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) officially announced Graceland student-athletes among the qualifiers for the 2019 NAIA Wrestling National Championships hosted by Catch Des Moines. "I'm proud of the guys who have competed well when it mattered most, and it makes me excited to see what they can accomplish at the national level," said Zack Mullins, Graceland University head wrestling coach. Each conference champion in their respective weight class earns an automatic berth to that national championship. Additional automatic berths were determined by using the final regular-season coaches' poll. In addition to the automatic qualifiers, each conference was allowed three at-large individuals from any weight class. The remainder of the 240-wrestler field was selected by the national ranking committee.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Wrestling student-athletes among the 2019 All Heart of America Athletic Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

Graceland University Track and Field's Lexus Lovan bettered her own school record in the 60 meter dash with a time of 7.74 at the Last Chance Meet hosted by Wartburg College. Lovan also won the long jump with a leap of 5.83M.

Graceland University Wrestling's Brennan Swafford was been named the Heart of America Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. Swafford garnered the recognition following an individual championship title at 165 lbs at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament. He was also named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Tournament. Currently, Swafford is 20-7 overall and is ranked No. 9 at 165 lbs in the NAIA. At the tournament, Swafford received an opening round bye. Then, in the quarterfinal match, Swafford took down Tyler Price (Baker) by Tech Fall (.5 5:55 (15-0)). He then advanced to the semifinal round where he won by decision (7-2) over teammate Drew Sams. As Swafford advanced into the championship match, he defeated Ryan Niven (Grand View) by decision (8-7). Swafford handed Niven, who is ranked No. 2 in the NAIA at 165 lbs. -- his second loss of the season.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Track and Field student-athletes among the 2019 All Heart Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

Graceland University Football senior offensive lineman, Braden Smith, was named to the 2018 CoSIDA Academic All-District (District 3) Team, as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Graceland University Football senior offensive lineman Braden Smith was named to the 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-America NAIA Football Team as honored by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). He is the first Graceland football player to receive the distinction. Smith boasts a 4.0 GPA and is double majoring in agricultural business and business administration. He took every snap at center and long snapper during the 2018 season for the Yellowjackets.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Football student-athletes among the 2018 All-Heart Conference selections, selected by the Heart coaches.

Graceland University Men's Cross Country's Lucky Lovan was named a 2018 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). In order to be nominated by an institution, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status to qualify for this honor.