HALEY WARD AND DYLAN ATHERTON NAMED AVILA ATHLETICS TRANSFER ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two of the biggest performers on the Eagle campus this year are being recognized for their efforts. Avila women’s wrestling’s Haley Ward and baseball’s Dylan Atherton have been named the 2026 Avila Athletics Female and Male Transfer Athletes of the Year.

Haley Ward, in her first year on the Avila mat, is already one of the most decorated Avila student-athletes in history. The University of Iowa transfer became Avila’s second All-American wrestler in program history and finished as the national runner-up in the 207-pound class at the 2026 NAIA Women's Wrestling National Championships.

Ward was also the 2026 KCAC 207-pound champion and finishes her first season in an Avila singlet with just two losses to NAIA opponents.

Dylan Atherton was a stalwart in the Avila baseball lineup this season. A Third-Team All-KCAC selection, the sophomore right fielder slashed .342/.481/.678 with 10 home runs, 44 RBI and 40 runs scored.

His 19 doubles were the second-most in the regular season in the conference and his 10 long balls ranked No. 15 in the regular season in the KCAC. Additionally, in the last five seasons, Atherton’s 44 RBI are the sixth-most, his 10 home runs are the fourth-highest total and his .481 on-base percentage is the fifth-highest total in the Avila baseball record books.

Two more End of Season Avila Athletics Awards will be announced on Wednesday, May 13 as we unveil our Female and Male Academic Athletes of the Year.