WOMEN’S WRESTLING NAMED KCAC TEAM OF CHARACTER

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Avila’s women’s wrestling program has been named the 2025-26 KCAC Team of Character, announced at the KCAC Women’s Wrestling Championships this evening.

“Receiving the Team of Character award is an incredible honor for our program,” said women’s wrestling head coach Sara Hilliard. “This recognition is about so much more than wins and losses, it reflects who we are, how we carry ourselves and the standard we hold as representatives of ‘The Way of the A.’”

Throughout the season, Avila engaged in service initiatives focused on youth development, inclusion, and the growth of girls’ wrestling. This season, the women’s wrestling program partnered with Greater Heights Wrestling Club, hosting a weekly girls-only wrestling practice open to female competitors regardless of club affiliation.

Additionally, during the AU Eagle Women’s Open in December, the program hosted a toy drive resulting in more than $2,000 worth of toys, which were donated to Crittenton Services.

“This is one of the highest honors a KCAC program can receive,” said Shawn Summe, Avila’s Chief Mission Integration Officer/Vice President of Athletics and Student Affairs. “The outstanding student-athletes from our women’s wrestling program have earned this through their dedication to helping others and I am incredibly proud.”

This season, women’s wrestling athletes also actively contributed to campus life through leadership roles in Student Government Association, the Student-Athlete Leadership Team and as Resident Assistants, while also serving as coaches and referees within the local youth sports community. Internally, the team’s athlete-led leadership council—representing every class year—played a central role in advocating for teammates, shaping team policies, organizing academic support, and maintaining standards of accountability and discipline.