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Track and field shined in the National Christian College Athletics Association (NCCAA) Nationals, and baseball concludes its 2023 season. This was the week that was for Asbury Athletics.

Men’s and Women’s Track and Field

May 11: Asbury track and field opened day one of the NCCAA National Championship in Columbia, South Carolina, with freshman Mary Hostetter breaking multiple school records. Hostetter broke her own school records in the 100 (12.92 seconds) and 200 (26.39 seconds). For the men, it was Sam Webb, Davis Brown, Luke Holton, and Luke Wheatley setting an Asbury record in the 4 x 8—relay (8:00.00).

May 12: Top ten finishes, personal records, and a 15th overall men’s team performance led Asbury on the second and final day of NCCAA Nationals. Junior Wes Preston finished with a solid sixth place in the 5000-meter run at 16:06.62. Hostetter (1:03.66) and  Webb (52.25) produced personal record times in the men’s and women’s 400, Hostetter finishing 15th overall and Webb 24th.

Asbury’s stellar performance in the men’s 4 x 400 relay was a highlight on the day. Webb led off the event with a spit 54.1 second time, handing the baton off to Holton maneuvered through traffic to mark the fastest lap of his career at 51.5. seconds.

Baseball

The 2023 NCCAA Baseball Mideast Regional was hosted by Asbury University on May 9-11.

May 9: Looking to defend their 2022 NCCAA Mideast Region title Asbury met Kentucky Christian on Tuesday night. Junior right-handed pitcher Eli Wilder and tidy defense led No. 2 seed Asbury (23-13-1) past No. 3 seed Kentucky Christian (20-31) 7-2.

NCCAA Mideast Region Player of the Year Ethan Cartwright and West Jessamine alum Nathaniel Frank led offensively, combining for three hits and three runs, while Cartwright blasted his fourth home run this season.

The 2023 NCCAA Mideast Region Awards were given out before the game, with Asbury having a strong presence. Asbury freshman Andrew Billington was named Freshman of the Year, freshman Brody Bearden was named Pitcher of the Year, and Cartwright was named Player of the Year.

May 10: Asbury (23-15-1) dropped game one 12-4 to No. 1 Seed Oakland City and then fell 3-1 to Kentucky Christian (No. 3) on Wednesday.

Asbury’s offense was held to only ten hits and five runs combined on the day. Junior Colton Perkins had three hits with a double and an RBI against Oakland City (OCU), while junior Kaden Dugle had two hits and a double against Kentucky Christian. Freshman Cayden Devine was a highlight on the mound for AU in 5.1 innings pitched with seven strikeouts and no runs.