Graceland University

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

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

Each spring, Graceland University honors the student-athletes who have stood out throughout the year at the annual Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Banquet.

Axl Parra was named the Heart of America Pitcher of the Week for the third time this spring following his stellar performance on the mound last week, April 16-22. This is his third time earning pitcher of the week honors, having earned it for the first time the week of Feb. 5-11, and the second time the week of March 12-18. Parra pitched in one of the Yellowjackets four games over the weekend, giving Graceland their lone win (1-0) in the series against Mount Mercy University. Parra pitched a complete game in his lone appearance of the week. The start marked his fifth complete game of the year along with his fifth win of the year. Parra was dominant throughout the game. He struck out 11 batters in the inning, allowed six hits and no walks. On the year, he has compiled 54 innings of work to go along with 80 strikeouts. He has allowed only 14 earned runs all year for a 2.33 ERA.

Dakota Buttrey was named the Heart of America Player of the Week for the first time this spring following her stellar performance in the batter's box. The honor is for the week of April 16-22, during which time Buttrey played in all 12 of the Yellowjackets' contests in the outfield. Buttrey helped guide the Yellowjackets to a 7-5 week. She hit 0.432 with a slugging percentage of 0.886. She compiled 19 hits including six home runs and two doubles. She drove in 15 RBI and scored 14 runs. "Dakota is the spark that ignites our offense," said Todd Verwers, head coach. "Not your traditional leadoff hitter but her productivity and power warrants getting her that extra at-bat each game. A great defensive player as well, Dakota is one of our most versatile players." The week started off with Buttrey producing a two-run home run in game one against Haskell Indian Nationals University and in game two against Clarke University. She then came up key to give the Yellowjackets the lead in the fourth inning of game two of the Benedictine College doubleheader with a grand slam. She also hit a three-run home run to end game two against Mount Mercy University. The week also featured Buttrey setting a couple of school records. She became the single-season home-run leader and the career home-run record holder. On the year, Buttrey is hitting 0.389 with a team-leading 42 total hits, including 12 home runs.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference named Graceland University Wrestling student-athletes among the 2018 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) NAIA All-Academic Individuals.

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

Graceland University Men's Volleyball's Dalton Forbes was named a 2018 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). 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 and must have achieved a junior academic status.

Lexus Lovan qualified for the National Outdoor track and field meet at the Baker Relays Saturday, March 31. Lovan led all Graceland athletes at the meet with her "B" Standard national qualifying leap in the long jump. She leaped 5.62 meters on her second leap to qualify and win the event.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) named Graceland University Men's Basketball's Jeremy Deemer as a 2017-18 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete. 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 and must have achieved a junior academic status.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced that 143 Division I women's basketball student-athletes have been named to the 2017-18 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.

A historic season for Graceland University Men's Basketball came to a close Tuesday, March 20, when the team hoisted the national championship trophy of the 81st Annual NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship at Municipal Auditorium. Graceland became the first team from the state of Iowa to win the national championship in the event's history in an 83-80 overtime victory over Louisiana State University-Alexandria.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced Graceland University student-athletes among the 2018 NAIA Division I Men's Basketball All-America teams. Players were selected by the NAIA-Men's Basketball Coaches Association All-America Committee. Each team - first, second and third - consists of 10 individuals.

Axl Parra was named the Heart of America Pitcher of the Week for the second time this spring following his stellar performance on the mound last week. Parra was named Heart Pitcher of the Week for the week of March 12 through 18. This is his second time earning Pitcher of the Week honors, having earned it for the first time the week of Feb. 5-11. Parra pitched in one of the Yellowjackets four games of the week, helping Graceland split a two-game series with Avila University. Parra pitched a complete game in his lone appearance of the week. The start marked his fourth complete game of the year along with his fourth win of the year. Parra was dominant throughout the game. He struck out five of the first seven batters he faced. His lone blemish was in the top of the third, when he gave up a two-run home run. He finished the game with 15 strikeouts - a new school record - three hits and no walks. On the year, he has compiled 39 innings of work to go along with 63 strikeouts. He has allowed only five earned runs all year for a 1.15 ERA.

Graceland University men's basketball team made history by claiming their first-ever Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament crown.

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

Graceland University senior center Jeremy Deemer was named to the 2017-18 Academic All-District, District Three, College Division Basketball Team, as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Two Graceland University women's basketball student-athletes garnered All-Heart of America Athletic Conference accolades for the 2017-18 season.

Graceland University Track and Field competed at the 2018 Heart Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, where eight student-athletes received all-conference recognition in 12 events.

Following a national qualifying leap in the long jump Saturday at the Last Chance Meet hosted by Waldorf College, Graceland University's Lexus Lovan was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference field athlete of the week. "We are really excited to have Lexus Lovan be our Heart Athlete of the week," remarked head coach Jordon Andreassen. "She has been working hard this season and persevered over many obstacles that have come her way. I am excited to see how she does at nationals in the long jump!" Lovan qualified for Nationals in long jump with her "A" Standard leap of 5.55 meters to claim first out of 18 athletes. She also marked a first-place finish in the 60-meter dash with her time of 7.93 seconds. Lovan will compete at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships March 1-3 in Pittsburg, KS.

(Feb. 12, 2018) Junior second baseman Eric Morales earned the Heart of America Player of the Week following his performance with Graceland University Baseball over the weekend. "Eric had a great weekend and seemed to just get better in tight situations," remarked Brady McKillip, head coach. "His homerun with two outs and two on base in the 7th inning of game three, giving us the lead, was as clutch as it gets. I am very excited to see what he can do over the course of the year." Over the course of three games, Eric went 6-for-10 from the plate to hit 0.600 percent for the weekend. He counted double and a two-run home run, driving in a total of four runs.

(Feb. 12, 2018) Axl Parra was named the Heart of America Pitcher of the Week following his stellar performance on the mound Friday. "Axl truly picked up where he left off last year with this start," said Brady McKillip, head coach. "I couldn't be happier for him as he begins his senior campaign, he has the ability to make it something special." Parra pitched the first game of the season for the Yellowjackets against Ecclesia College. Parra pitched a complete game shutout, allowing three hits. Of the 23 batters he faced, Parra struck out 14, walking just one.

The Graceland University men's basketball program has earned a top 25 national ranking in the NAIA Division I national poll for the second consecutive season and just the second time in program history. The first DI national ranking in program history was last season in head coach Craig Doty's first season. Graceland enters the poll at No. 24. Graceland has posted some major wins in the 2017-18 season to bring them to this point. The Yellowjackets resume includes a road victory over then-ranked No. 1 William Penn University (81-77); a home victory over then-No. 9 Central Methodist University (79-68); exhibition road win over the 2016 NCAA DII national champions, Augustana University - Sioux Falls (93-81); and a win over nationally ranked NAIA DII Governors State University (98-58).

(Mon, Feb. 5, 2018) Graceland University senior Jeremy Deemer was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference men's basketball player of the week following his performance on the court this week.

Two Graceland University men's soccer student-athletes have been named to the 2017 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete Team by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). 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.

Nine Graceland University women's soccer student-athletes have been named to the 2017 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete Team by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). 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.

Eleven Graceland University volleyball student-athletes have been named to the 2017 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete Team by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), claiming more than any other NAIA team. 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.

After defeating the No. 12 wrestler in the nation at 285 lbs., Graceland University's Ryan Paige was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week. "Ryan has been a steady and consistent leader within our program for years so it's exciting to see him excelling on the mat," said Zack Mullins, head wrestling coach. "He faced a tough ranked opponent last week with the dual outcome already decided and still pushed to see how good he could be. We look forward to seeing how far he can go this season." Paige defeated Ottawa University's Ryan Schooler by decision. In a hard fought dual, an escape late led to an eventual takedown gave Paige the victory by decision (9-6) over Schooler. The Yellowjackets claimed the dual 35-12.

Graceland University Women's Cross Country's Marina Flores was named a 2017 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). 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 and must have achieved a junior academic status.

Graceland University Men's Cross Country's Zacary Stetzel was named a 2017 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). 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 and must have achieved a junior academic status.