In the 2023-24 academic year, °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ Athletics secured the runner-up position in the GPAC All-Sports Trophy standings, with four conference championships, 12 top-four finishes in the final GPAC standings, and notable national success in women's basketball.
°¼Í¹ÊÓƵ was named runner-up in the overall standings for the 2023-24 Great Plains Athletic (GPAC) All-Sports Trophy, according to made earlier this week.
°¼Í¹ÊÓƵ Athletics claimed four total conference championships, placing 12 teams in the top four in the final GPAC standings for their respective seasons. Men's cross country, women's cross country, women's basketball and men's outdoor track & field also won conference championships this year.
The Defenders saw national success when the women’s basketball team claimed the program’s first-ever NAIA National Championship. The women’s basketball team ; they finished the season with a nine-game win streak and ended with a program-best 35-2 record.
In addition, four °¼Í¹ÊÓƵcoaches were named GPAC Coach of the Year:
The GPAC all-sports standings are also broken down between women's and men's offerings. °¼Í¹ÊÓƵranked second in the GPAC in women's sports and fifth in the men's standings.
This is the third year in row that °¼Í¹ÊÓƵhas been in the top-three of the league standings. The Defenders won the All-Sports Trophy in 2023 and finished third in 2022.
°¼Í¹ÊÓƵteams that placed fourth or better during 2023-24 include:
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About °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, °¼Í¹ÊÓƵis a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
°¼Í¹ÊÓƵ distinguishes itself from comparable institutions by attracting 66.1% of its freshman class from out-of-state, fostering an engaged community that aligns with the university's Christ-centered mission.
Dr. Kyle Dieleman will present on May 30 at Faith Christian Reformed Church in Pella, exploring faith formation insights from the Dutch Reformed tradition in the 1500-1600s and their relevance to contemporary contexts.
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