GREENVILLE, S.C. - Junior Kylee Gray of the Malone University track & field team has been named the honoree of the 2025 NCCAA John and Jody Wheeler Award. 

John and Jody Wheeler have been involved in supporting athletic activities of Christian high schools and colleges throughout their lives. Jody passed in 2019 and John continues to actively participate in supporting Christian athletics via the NCCAA. He served on the NCCAA Board for 35 years and he and Jody founded the NCCAA Pro-Am event that has provided over $2,000,000 in support for the NCCAA since 1988. A Taylor University graduate who knows the benefit of a Christian worldview and a lifelong pursuit for God's truth, John was inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame in 2002.

Gray is in her final academic semester at Malone as a primary childhood education and intervention specialist major. She has been named Academic All-Conference in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete. Along with her academic success, Gray also serves as a leader for Christ to her teammates and community around her through spiritual formation opportunities focused on wellness journaling. She has gone beyond the walls of campus by serving on a service learning trip to Santiago, Chile. This experience allowed Gray to serve in the Chilean schools and engage with local families in their homes where she was able to display the same love and compassion for Christ she is known for on campus to a new community.

Gray helped lead the Pioneers to a 2024 NCCAA Cross County National Championship as an All-American. Her current mark of 38:41.39 in the 10,000-meter run is currently sixth in the NCCAA rankings heading into the Outdoor National Championship event. 

Malone's Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Zach Fresenko had this to say of Gray, "Kylee is a radiant example of Christ-like character in every area of her life and is known for her consistent joy and
unwavering positivity. Kylee's love for people is evident in her daily interactions. She approaches every opportunity with humility and a servant's heart, constantly putting others before herself. Whether cheering on her teammates, mentoring younger athletes, or simply offering a word of encouragement, Kylee's presence brings warmth and peace, rooted in her strong faith. Kylee embraces the mission of the university day in and day out, in her classwork and being a great teammate and friend to those around her."

The Pioneers begin competition at Columbia International University for the NCCAA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships on Wednesday, May 7 at 10:00 A.M.