May 2, 2024

Asbury Celebrates Final Day of 2024 Eagle Awards Winners

WILMORE, Ky.---  Asbury University Athletics recently celebrated the 2023-24 academic year with the 2024 Asbury Eagle Awards, hosted on April 24 in the CLC Luce Auditorium. Asbury student-athletes, coaches, staff, and faculty joined to fellowship and commemorate the season while 23 awards were distributed to award-winners. 

The Asbury Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), led an amazing effort of producing the event as one of their key projects during the 2023-24 year. 16 TeamAU intercollegiate athletic programs and cheerleading were highlighted during the evening, recognizing the investment of student-athletes, coaches, and staff throughout their seasons to pursue the mission of Asbury Athletics to serve, train, and compete for His glory through college athletics. 

Awards will be released on asburyeagles.com and @asburyeagles social media platforms (Instagram, X, Facebook) throughout the week.

Congratulations to our final day of 2024 Eagle Awards Winners! Asbury Athletics is proud of your actions in the classroom and field of competition that has led to this honor. Our athletics department looks forward to the a full 2024-2025 season in our first year as a full member of NCAA Division III, and the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS)!

View photos below from the 2024 Eagle Awards

2024 Eagle Awards Final Day Winners

Female Gamble/Walker Outstanding Senior

Taylor Enlow / Softball / Sr. / Sociology

Stats/Details - Taylor holds a 3.84 GPA and is a two-time NCCAA All-American with a career .415 batting average. Taylor serves on SAAC, is an RA for her resident hall, is Vice President of the Courageous class, the Phi Alpha Social Work Honors President, softball team captain, and is heavily involved in student life on campus. Taylor gives 100% in everything she does and has been a great example to her team.

Male Gamble/Walker Outstanding Senior

Dakota Walden / Softball / Gr. / MBA

Stats/Details - Dakota is a two-time NCCAA Mideast All-Region member for the Asbury men’s basketball team. This season, Dakota joined the 1,000-point club, leading the team with 17.2 points per game and a NCCAA National Tournament appearance for the third straight season. Dakota is a leader on and off the court and lives his life to glorify Christ in all he does.

Molly Harlin Servant Leadership Award - A leadership award given in memory of Molly Harlin that exemplifies servant leadership.

Morgan Flanagan / Women's Basketball / Jr. / Business Administration

Details - Morgan came to Asbury intending to play basketball, but due to early injuries, was never able to pursue a career on the court. Morgan took the news with grace and dove into servant leadership on the women's basketball team. Morgan is a pillar in the Asbury women’s basketball program and oversees all operations for the team. She has always gone above and beyond in serving the team and improves the lives of anyone she comes in contact with!

Male Stuart Smith Award

Hagan Webb / Men's Basketball / So. / Finance

Stats/Details - Hagan served as the President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) this year, and with this committee, has led the charge to plan multiple events like the Athlete Field Day and the 2024 Asbury Eagle Awards! Hagan is a person who is willing to take on roles that other players wouldn’t and does everything in a Christ-like manner.

Female Stuart Smith Award (Co-Winners)

Mary Hostetter / Women's Soccer / So. / Intercultural Studies 

Riley McChord / Volleyball / So. / Communications

Stats/Details - Mary’s servant heart stretches beyond her impact on the Asbury women's soccer team, as she has served the community of Jordan, teaching English in a Muslim majority area, and will be doing the same this summer in Thailand. Mary has also traveled to South Africa to share about her experience during the outpouring. She is a strong advocate for the spiritual growth of her team, and always makes a positive impact on her community.

Stats/Details - Riley led Asbury volleyball in the 2023 season with 393 digs and was second on the team with 35 aces. Riley serves on SAAC and is the Spiritual Liaison for the committee. She will be interning this summer on a mission trip to Puerto Rico with Lync 8 Project led by women's basketball head coach Chad Mayes, and is involved with FCA for the University of Kentucky by serving in missions with them. 

Female Frank B. and Lucille Fryman Award - This is an award for student-athletes that honors former staff members Frank and Lucille Fryman. Both gave loving service to Asbury University for several years. Mr. Fryman worked in the physical plant and Mrs. Fryman worked in the college bookstore. Their son, Bill, is a graduate of Asbury University and the father of Travis Fryman who played professionally for the Cleveland Indians. This award is for demonstrated excellence as a varsity student-athlete, for strong Christian witness and demonstrated attitude of service, and demonstrated potential for leadership.

Emma Popplewell / Softball / Fr. / Elementary Education

Stats/Details - Emma is one of the starting catchers for Asbury softball, excelling on the field and in the classroom for TeamAU. She strives to do everything for Christ and is consistently studying her Bible before practice. She is one of the most compassionate and positive players Asbury softball head coach Ally Moore has gotten to coach. Emma is involved in her hometown church and serves on the SAAC Committee as a representative.

Male Frank B. and Lucille Fryman Award (Co-Winners)- This is an award for student-athletes that honors former staff members Frank and Lucille Fryman. Both gave loving service to Asbury University for several years. Mr. Fryman worked in the physical plant and Mrs. Fryman worked in the college bookstore. Their son, Bill, is a graduate of Asbury University and the father of Travis Fryman who played professionally for the Cleveland Indians. This award is for demonstrated excellence as a varsity student-athlete, for strong Christian witness and demonstrated attitude of service, and demonstrated potential for leadership.

Gavin Howard / Men's Soccer / Jr. / Exercise Science

Luke Holton / Men's Cross Country, Track and Field / Jr. / Christian Ministries

Stats/Details - Gavin plays a major role on the field for the Asbury men's soccer team and leads with a near-perfect attitude and effort in all he does. He is a loyal and devoted friend, a fantastic student, and a quality player. Gavin serves in the Southland Middle School Ministry and leads with his faith in how he treats and respects others.

Stats/Details - Luke is a Christ-like leader who speaks volumes with his actions on the men's cross country and track and field teams. He is an excellent athlete and a great contribution to his teams. Luke serves as the Spiritual Life Advisor on his resident hall and on the World Gospel Mission Student Leadership team.

Eric Liddell Award - This award is presented to a student-athlete that honors the pursuit of excellence and Christian leadership of Eric Liddell.

Hannah Muncie / Women's Soccer / So. / Biology

Stats/Details - Hannah embodies the Asbury Athletics Serve, Train, and Compete mission by being involved with the women's soccer team and the community on a daily basis. She is always looking to serve others in any area of life. Hannah mentors at Brookside elementary, is a small group leader at Southland Christian Church, a food pantry volunteer, and a part-time EMT. Hannah is self-motivated and always determined to help the team be the best that they can be everyday.

The Eagle Award - In 1992, the “Eagle Award” was introduced as a way of annually recognizing the individual, organization, company or group who has shown continuing and visible support for the athletic department. It is given with careful consideration to those who are dedicated to the development of character and excellence in young men and women through athletics. 

Tyanne Whitworth / Cheerleading Volunteer Coach (2018-Present) / TeamAU Donor

Details - Tyanne has invested countless hours serving as the volunteer assistant cheerleading coach since 2018. She has graciously hosted numerous student-athletes, teams, coaches, and staff for meals and gatherings in her home. Tyanne is an annual sponsor of the TeamAU Golf Experience fundraiser and is one of the top contributors to the TeamAU fund each year. Asbury Athletics is extremely grateful to Tyanne and continued care and support of TeamAU.

Rita Pritchett Award - Highest overall GPA for Asbury male student-athlete. 

Oliver Gunthorpe / Men's Soccer / Jr. / Accounting

Rita Pritchett Award - Highest overall GPA for Asbury female student-athlete. 

Sarah Yost / Women's Cross Country, Track and Field / Jr. / Equine Assisted Science