The performances of Lander student-athletes are impressive... in the classroom, in the game and out in the Greenwood community.
In the 2024-25 school year, teams brought home big wins, including national championships, regular season conference championships and tournament championships. Even more impressive, however, is that Lander athletes championed their academic coursework, too. The average grade point average for the 2024-25 academic year was a 3.317, and Lander also had seven “Elite 18” winners (which recognizes the highest individual GPA among students participating in their respective conference championships).
According to Jamie Wilson, associate athletic director of student-athlete success, the Lander Bearcats also spent a great deal of time off campus by volunteering in the local community. Student-athletes were also recently honored by Greenwood City Council for their involvement in two community trash pickup days, among other service opportunities this past year.
“What an incredible year it has been for our student-athletes in their sports, the classroom and throughout the community,” said Wilson. “They’re not only excelling in their sports and academics, but they’re also making a real difference beyond campus. This year alone, they’ve donated over 2,000 hours to various causes, giving back in ways that truly matter. I think this shows that their impact goes far beyond the scoreboard. Saying I’m proud of our student-athletes doesn’t begin to cover it. Our athletes are truly amazing.”
In celebration of Lander’s student-athletes, here’s a quick recap that highlights Lander University’s many athletic victories during the 2024-25 academic year:
Best in Conference
The 2024-25 school year saw a number of championships for the Lander Bearcats. This included regular season conference titles in Volleyball, Baseball and Men’s Lacrosse. Meanwhile, the Bearcats also landed three conference tournament championships in Baseball, Wrestling and Women’s Golf.
Impressive Individual Athletes
The Lander Bearcats also won a score of individual conference titles across multiple sports. Among them were Michael Balkman, of Blythewood (Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field); Tymia Willis, of Pendleton, and Jamia Clark, of Phoenix, Ariz. (Outdoor Track and Field). Five student-athletes on Lander’s Acrobatics and Tumbling team also won individual conference titles. Those students were Ashlyn Shively, of Pinehurst, N.C.; Rhianna Philcox, of Greenwood; Madison Owens, of Greenville; Casey Sutherland, of Easley; and Riley Wolters, of North Myrtle Beach.
Ten students were also named All-Americans across multiple sports: Kasja Lindqvist, of Gothenburg, Sweden (Women’s Golf); Grant Sherrod, of Sumner, Wash. (Baseball); Autumn Huskey, of Clover (Women’s Lacrosse, and first in program history); Carter Wilcox, of Harrisburg, N.C. (Men’s Lacrosse); Jack Kinney, of Centennial, Colo. (Men’s Lacrosse); David Hunsberger, of Duncan (Wrestling); Isham Peace, of Okatie (Wrestling); Christian Davis, of Arizona City, Ariz. (Wrestling); Marvelous Rutledge, of Dayton, Ohio (Wrestling); and Katie Miller, of Sugar City, Idaho (Women’s Volleyball).
Players of the Year
Along with being named All-American, Christian Davis, of Arizona City, Ariz. (Wrestling) was named Freshman of the Year, and was also named Rookie of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA). Karson Browning, of Boiling Springs (Volleyball) was also named Freshman of the Year.
Six students were named Players of the Year by their respective conferences. This included David Hunsberger, of Duncan (Wrestling); Katie Miller, of Sugar City, Idaho (Women’s Volleyball); Lauren Dow, of Pickens (Women’s Volleyball); Autumn Huskey, of Clover (Women’s Lacrosse); Carter Wilcox, of Harrisburg, N.C. (Men’s Lacrosse); and Jack Kinney, of Centennial, Colo. (Men’s Lacrosse).
Two students were named Southeast Region Players of the Week: Grant Sherrod, of Sumner, Wash. (Baseball); and Jake Larson, of Ponte Vedra, Fla.
The 2024-25 season also included a grand total of 55 Players of the Week, as named by the athletes’ respective conferences, and 60 All-Conference Players.
Winning Big
In addition to a conference championship and conference tournament championship, Lander Wrestling was also named NCAA Super Regional Champion, and took 4th place at the NCAA National Wrestling Championship. David Hunsberger, of Duncan, was also named NCAA Individual Wrestling Champion.
In August of 2024, two anglers on the Lander Bass Fishing Team, Garrett Smith and Andrew Blanton, also reeled in the 2024 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship. Then, in March, Anderson Jones landed the Bassmaster College Classic in March of 2025.
Impact of Coaches
Student-athletes weren’t the only ones awarded for their hard work. Three coaches were also named Conference Coaches of the Year: Jeff Reynolds, of Women’s Volleyball; Tony LePore, of Men’s Lacrosse; and Bob Dachille, of Women’s Lacrosse. Such recognition emphasizes the important role that coaches play in the athletic development and professional growth of student-athletes while they are in college.
Accomplishing Bigger Goals
While reflecting on the past year, Director of Athletics Brian Reese reiterated that these victories go beyond the sporting events themselves, helping Lander prepare students for their lives after graduation. "Success comes in many forms for our student-athletes at Lander University," Reese said. "Whether it's a conference title, a tournament championship or their academic success, we're proud of our student-athletes and all they've accomplished this past year. We know that, when they graduate, they will take their experiences in hard work, determination and sportsmanship into the workforce with them."