WICHITA, Kan. – The 2024-25 season has come to a close and will be best remembered as the year of champions and breakouts in Friends University Athletics. Take a look below at the high points that made this past season a truly memorable experience.
Taylor Made for Friends
A huge bright spot in the Friends University Athletic Department was the addition of Taylor Mounts, who took over as the Director of Student-Athlete Success last June. Below are excerpts from a feature story recently produced on Mounts.
With a deep passion for athletics that traces back to her own playing days as a collegiate volleyball player, Mounts was naturally inclined to mentor student-athletes.
Her research during her master's studies revealed a strong correlation between success in the business world and college athletics, further fueling her desire to work with student-athletes.
Recognizing the unique skills and qualities they possess, Mounts is dedicated to helping them refine these skills and acquire essential life skills such as time management, effective communication, and interview techniques.
Her ultimate goal is to empower student-athletes to thrive in their future careers.
Mounts firmly believes that her experience as a former student-athlete adds a significant layer of empathy to her role at Friends.
She understands firsthand the challenges and demands that student-athletes face, as she once juggled practices, weightlifting sessions, and a full academic load herself.
This empathetic perspective allows her to connect with students on a deeper level, reassuring them that she has walked in their shoes and is there to support them every step of the way.
Her own journey was made possible by the support of coaches, advisors, and professors, and she is driven to give back and provide the same level of guidance and encouragement.
For Mounts, her role at Friends University is more than just a job—it is a calling. She is driven by a genuine passion for supporting student-athletes and helping them navigate the complexities of academia and athletics.
Her dedication and empathy make her an invaluable asset to the Friends community, and her impact is felt by every student-athlete she mentors.
Mounts' journey at Friends University is a testament to the power of passion, collaboration, and the unwavering commitment to student success.
Click HERE for the full feature story on Mounts:
STUDENT-Athlete Success
As evidenced by Mounts' position, academic success is always prioritized at Friends, but this year saw it come to a new level of accomplishment. The Falcon teams averaged a 3.17 GPA this past spring for their highest semester average in five years. Fueling those averages were both golf programs, with the Falcon Women averaging a 3.68 GPA and the Falcon Men tallying a 3.66 GPA for the spring.
Football
Look up the word breakthrough in the dictionary, and you'll find the exact verbiage to describe head coach Terry Harrison's third season at the helm. The Falcons went 11-2 for the program's most wins in the modern era and captured their first KCAC championship since 2008. Friends also made their first NAIA FCS Championship Series playoff appearance since the 08 season and defeated then No. 15-ranked OUAZ for their furthest playoff advancement in school history. Harrison was awarded the KCAC Kessinger Division Coach of the Year, Eric Kelly was named the Assistant Coach of the Year while K'Vonte Baker was selected as the Division's Co-Offensive Player of the Year just one year after winning sole possession of the Offensive Player of the Year honor.
All-KCAC Release
Falcons' playoff win over OUAZ recap
Kyree Watkins named NAIA All-American
Feature story on Football Rebuild
Terry Harrison Feature Story
Softball
Head coach Suzanne Unruh was named the KCAC Coach of the Year after guiding the Falcons to their first KCAC regular season title since 2016 and the program's fourth NAIA Opening Round appearance in her seven-year tenure. Armed with KCAC Pitcher of the Year Riley Wertz, the Falcons finished the season 37-15 overall for the team's highest win total since 2013.
All-KCAC Release
Season-ending recap
Suzanne Unruh Feature Story
Men's Golf
The Falcons entered the dynasty conversations after winning their third consecutive KCAC championship in Garden City, Kan. Tomas Vazquez won the individual title, giving the Falcons their fourth different individual winner during head coach Dustin Galyon's four years at the helm (Trenton Sutherland, Gerardo Alemany, Caleb Knight). The conference title resulted in the Falcons making another appearance at the NAIA National Championship in Silvis, Ill.
Galyon was named the KCAC Coach of the Year, with Trinton Nobles earning his second consecutive KCAC Player of the Year and NAIA All-American nod while Jack Cubitt was selected as the league's top newcomer.
All-KCAC Release
KCAC Championship Recap
Trinton Nobles named NAIA All-American
Dustin Galyon Feature Story
Men's Basketball
In just his second season at the helm, KCAC Coach of the Year Phil McClintock put the Falcons on a clear upward trajectory after leading the team to their most wins (24) in six years, an NAIA postseason victory for the first time since the 2013-14 season and a runner-up KCAC finish after being selected ninth and 10th in the preseason polls.
The Falcons finished 24-8 and defeated Florida Memorial University in the NAIA National Tournament before falling to eventual national champion College of Idaho. KJ Spiller was also named the KCAC Co-Player of the Year.
All-KCAC Release
Falcons NAIA Tournament win over Florida Memorial Recap
Spiller named NAIA All-American
Phil McClintock Feature Story
Women's Soccer
Just one year after notching the program's first-ever undefeated KCAC regular season in the modern-era, the Falcons took another step under head coach Brent Hobson and claimed their first-ever KCAC postseason tournament championship in the modern era with a thrilling 1-0 overtime victory over York University in the title match.
The championship win gave the Falcons their fourth NAIA National Championship Tournament appearance in the last six years.
All-KCAC Release
KCAC Tournament Championship Recap
Lewis receives CSC Academic All-America honor
Track & Field
The Falcons continued being a force in both the KCAC and the NAIA under head coach Henry Brun. The indoor season saw the Falcon Men post a runner-up finish at the KCAC Championships, with the Falcon Women recording a top-three result. A Falcon trio (Pablo Sanz-Rillo, Carter Giittinger, Anya Walton) also performed at the NAIA National Championships and earned All-America honors.
The Men's Falcons then finished third at the KCAC Outdoor Championships and the women came in fourth. Friends later capped the season on a strong note behind more All-America finishes at the NAIA National Championship meet (Abby Green, Pablo Sanz-Rillo, 4 X 100 Relay Team).
KCAC Indoor Championship Recap
NAIA Indoor Championship Recap
KCAC Outdoor Championship Recap (Day 1)
KCAC Outdoor Championship (Day 2)
NAIA Outdoor Championship Recap
Henry Brun Feature Story
Abby Green Feature Story
Men's Wrestling
The Men's Wrestling Falcons enjoyed a landmark season of their own, as Braden Morgan came through with the program's first-ever NAIA All-America honor by finishing fourth in the 285-pound division. Benedict Holthaus, the KCAC Co-Newcomer of the Year, along with Ezavian Ortega, were also national qualifiers and each won a match at the NAIA National Championship event.
Under KCAC Coach of the Year Tyler Mies, the Falcons recorded 15 points as a team to finish 27th overall nationally.
KCAC Championship Meet Recap (Mies Named Coach of the Year)
NAIA Men's Wrestling Day 1 Recap
NAIA Men's Wrestling Day 2 Recap (Morgan claims first All-America honor in program history)
NAIA Men's Wrestling Day 3 Recap
Holthaus named KCAC Co-Newcomer of the Year
Tyler Mies Feature Story
Women's Basketball
The Falcons charged from the fifth seed all the way to their second KCAC postseason tournament title game in the past three years, where they fell 86-76 in overtime to Sterling College in a high-octane championship game.
Behind head coach Dean Jaderston and two-time KCAC Defensive Player of the Year Taylor Jackson, the Falcons posted an overall record of 19-12 along with the berth in the postseason tournament title tilt.
All-KCAC Release (Jackson named KCAC Defensive Player of the Year
KCAC Championship Game Recap
Taylor Jackson Feature Story
Prime Evaluations
Providing a supportive culture for student-athletes has always been important at Friends University, but this year the proof was in the pudding. Student evaluation scores were strong across the board, including coaches providing support and accountability for academic success along with being mentors beyond the field and having winning cultures. The evaluations represented all-time highs in those areas.
Women's Wrestling
The Falcons produced two more national qualifiers this season in Gianna Moreno and Bailee Nelson, a pair of mainstays that have consistently enjoyed individual success.
It'll be a new era for the program heading into next year but a familiar face leading the way, as Austin Zaring has been selected as the new head coach.
KCAC Championship Recap
NAIA National Championship Recap
Austin Zaring named new head coach
Competitive Cheer & Competitive Dance
The Falcons posted their second consecutive KCAC runner-up finish following two straight conference titles for the program. In a unique opportunity, the Falcons also competed for the first-time at the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Nationals and put together a solid performance to finish second in the Intermediate Small Coed NAIA division.
The Dance Falcons came in sixth at this season's KCAC Championship with a score of 62.23 for the team's second highest score of the season.
KCAC Championship Recap
NCA College Nationals Recap
Women's Golf
In the face of tragedy following head coach Paul Howe's untimely passing, the Falcons pulled together and put together an admirable season of competition behind interim head coach Paige Barnes, culminating with a fourth place finish at the KCAC Championship. Victoria Hofmann fueled the Falcons this season with a first-team All-KCAC performance.
The Falcons will now welcome Scott Moshier as the program's new head coach starting next season.
KCAC Championship Recap
Scott Moshier new hire release
Scott Moshier Feature Story
Baseball
The Falcons won two games at the KCAC Postseason Tournament and were one of the last four teams standing before losing to eventual champion Kansas Wesleyan University. Friends finished the year 29-23 and were 20-16 in the KCAC.
All-KCAC Release
KCAC Tournament Final Day Recap
Keagan Alejo Feature Story
Powerlifting
Under head coach Kate Jones, the Falcon Powerlifting teams continue to make their mark at a national level, as both teams recorded Top-10 finishes at the USA Collegiate Nationals. The Falcon Women finished seventh and the Men's Falcons came in ninth out of 104 teams. Friends also produced four podium finishes this year.
USA Collegiate Nationals Recap
William Jewell Collegiate Cup Recap
Bearcat Classic Recap
Men's Soccer
The Falcons posted a 6-4-3 record in the KCAC, with a 6-7-5 mark overall under head coach Bryan Perez. Friends concluded their season with a 4-1 loss to Ottawa University in the KCAC quarterfinal round.
All-KCAC Release
Cross Country
The Men's and Women's Cross Country Falcons each recorded top five finishes at the KCAC Championship meet in Leavenworth, Kan.
The Falcons will be under new leadership heading into next season, with Tracy Jex taking the reins as head coach.
KCAC Championship Recap
Tracy Jex New Head Coach Release
Tennis
Silva Avakian once again was a major highlight for the Falcons by earning her second consecutive NAIA All-American award after being named the KCAC Player of the Year the previous season. The Women's Falcons were 5-12 and 4-8 in the KCAC, while the Falcon Men finished 4-14 overall with a 3-9 mark in conference.
All-KCAC Release
Silva Avakian NAIA All-America Release
Volleyball
The Falcons improved their win total from 2023 by seven this season to finish an even 15-15 overall, with a 4-9 mark in the KCAC under head coach Martin Ayin.
All-KCAC Release (Sydney Lentz earns first-team all-conference honor
Impactful Coaching Project
An ongoing project that continues to grow, the Impactful Coaching Project was initiated by Dr. Rob Ramseyer, Friends University VP of Athletics and Strategic Expansion, and men's golf head coach Dustin Galyon. The Impactful Coaching Project was launched in the winter of 2023 and focuses on training coaches to develop the whole person. The new project has featured speaking engagements at Garden City CC, Trinity Academy and Eastminster Presbyterian Church. It also features a podcast entitled "Beyond Coaching" and a book co-authored by Ramseyer and Galyon entitled "Coaching the 21st Century Athlete." Yearly research will be conducted through athletic program evaluations, with the current topic being "What motivates student-athletes to participate in their sport." Weekly posts are also available at www.impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com
A new way to story tell
Friends University Athletics partnered with Fanword this past year as a tool to tell vibrant and engaging stories regarding our student-athletes, coaches, staff and alumni. The link to all the stories published thus far is below and there's many more to come!
https://stories.friendsathletics.com/
Friends Athletics wishes to thank the following sponsors for their support throughout the 2023-24 season!
6S
Air Capital Wealth Management
Ascension Via Christi
Batzlaff Insurance
BSN
Burwell Construction
Central Power Systems
Chick-Fil-A
Crestview Country Club
Crispy Donuts
Deano's
Delano BBQ
Dustin Galyon Photography
Emser Tile
Equity Bank
Farha Roofing
Gambino's Pizza Colwich
Hampton Inn East
Home2Suites
IMA Corporation
Indian Hills Animal Clinic
Johnson Controls
Kansas Army National Guard
Kansas Candy
Kansas Orthopedic Center
Kruse Corporation
Legacy Bank
Legacy Legal LLC
McCownGordon Construction
MIT Restoration
Nike
On the Border
Overland Charter
Phoenix Home Health and Hospice
Pizza Hut/Taco Bell/Fugate Enterprises
Pizza Ranch Wichita
Popeyes ARJH
Promo Depot
"Pulse" Sports Talk Radio
Qdoba
Reddi Industries
Sandifer Controls
Scheels
Seiwert Realtor
Serviam Company
Spangles
Superior Broom
Supplement World
Taco Shop
Top Golf
UBS Financial Services
UMB Financial
Waste Connections
Water Walk Wichita
Wichita Business Journal
Wichita Sports Commission
Willow Bend Golf Club
