EAGLES ATHLETICS

CHAMPS!

In the best season in program history, Avila Football earns share of KCAC Conference Title In the longest, strangest season in program history, the Avila football team earned its first-ever conference championship and highest-ever national ranking in finishing 8-1. After an opening game loss to eventual co-champion Bethel, the Eagles won their next eight—including six straight wins over their Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference foes. Despite facing significant obstacles related to the pandemic, the team came through when it mattered most, according to Shawn Summe, Athletics Director. “Each member of the team showed the perseverance and talent we aim for with every Avila Eagle athlete—their hard work paid off with the first conference championship in program history,” Summe said. “Head coach Marc Benavidez ’12 and his staff had the team prepared and focused throughout its schedule. Even when the season stopped late last year with games tentatively scheduled for the spring, the team picked up where it left off when it returned in March.” The team finished the regular season ranked No. 19 by the NAIA, its highest-ever poll position. Junior running back Malik Nesbitt was named KCAC Offensive Player of the Year and earned a spot on the 2020-21 NAIA Coaches’ All-America Second Team after earning 1204 yards and 17 touchdowns rushing. Junior offensive lineman CJ Cunningham also earned a spot on the honorable mention team.

CHAMPS!

CHAMPS cont’d

While the team just missed out on a spot in the postseason, many top performers from this year’s squad will return next fall. Until then, the team will commemorate the best season in program history with a KCAC Championship banner in the rafters of Mabee Fieldhouse.

“We knew we would face obstacles this season, but every person associated with Avila Football put their nose down and dedicated themselves to being their best,” Benavidez said. “I’m so proud of the entire team and how much hard work they put in all year. Hanging the conference championship banner in Mabee will be an awesome experience for them and will make sure their history-making accomplishment won’t be forgotten any time soon.”

Bowling, Wrestling Newest Avila Athletics Programs

Graham Karwath

Wrestling Head Coach

Paul Wolf

Bowling Head Coach

THE AVILA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT announced the addition of men’s and women’s bowling and wrestling this past December, the first university in Kansas City to offer both programs. The move raises the school’s total to 16 varsity sports.

Head coaches Graham Karwath and Paul Wolf—wrestling and bowling, respectively—came on board in January and began recruiting immediately. Thanks to both sports’ wide appeal in the Midwest, the programs combined will add more than 30 student-athletes in the 2021-22 school year, according to Athletics Director Shawn Summe.

“Wrestling and bowling have both grown rapidly in popularity in the past several years—especially in our region— and are another way Avila offers its students the opportunities and activities they want,” Summe said. “We expect Avila to compete for national honors in both sports and that they will strengthen the University and the athletic program as a whole.”

Avila joins several other Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) members in offering both sports for both men’s and women’s competitions. Additionally, the NAIA designated wrestling and bowling as the latest sports elevated from invitational to championship status, the 27th and 28th sports to gain that recognition.

Both men’s and women’s teams will begin competition in 2021-22

Malik Nesbitt