NAIA Preview Series: #7 Life University

Life University women won the NWCA National Duals last season in Louisville. Photo: Derek Levendusky for AWW.

by Jeremy Eusterwiemann
Twitter: @wiems19

Life University is coming off a season of remarkable success but in some ways fell short of the goal. However, they will not minimize the success and the joy the team had last season and are immensely proud of their hard work. The Flavins continue to build a culture of success in every aspect of “Life,” and the girls are buying in. They look forward to another exciting season with lofty goals. They crushed the recruiting trail this year which will help fill the void created by the loss of some key transfers. This team will be fun to follow and will again bring the “energy.”

Here is an interview I had with the Running Eagles Head Coach Ashley Flavin.

1. What are your reflections on last season?
Last season held a lot of mixed emotions. We were plagued with adversity, from a COVID shutdown leading into National Duals, to injuries that had us lose an athlete going into the NAIA Invitational. The team also showed great tenacity when they overcame those factors to win National Duals, the regular season Mid-South Conference Championship, an undefeated dual record and taking 4th at the NAIA Invitational with only 11 athletes (including one who got injured and was unable to
continue). The season was bittersweet.

2. Talk about your returning class. Who are some of the women you have high expectations for this
year?
Peyton Prussin returns to us at 109 pounds. She’s a 2x National Champion who has one college loss (during her redshirt freshman year) and has not been defeated in college competition in two seasons. She has been making huge strides this summer and we are excited to see her continue to improve. Gabby Hamilton is a returning National Finalist for us. Much like last year, Gabby is returning from knee surgery this season, however she is returning sooner than last season and stronger than before. We’re also counting on Kory Phillips 3x National Placer, she’ll be at 116 for us this year. Other returning All-Americans we have high expectations for are Devyn Gomez (101) and Catherine Palmieri (191).

3. Talk about your incoming freshmen class. Who are you excited about and what are some of the
names that you expect an immediate contribution from?
We were proud to have the #1 recruiting class in the NAIA (#2 overall in all divisions). The McBryde sisters; Jamilah (143), Latifah (155), and Zaynah (130); have all had success at the age group level and should explode on the college scene. Anna Krejsa (123) and Maddy Welch (191) were both Fargo All-Americans and have been thriving with high level partners. We won’t get Sarah Savidge (130) until December because she is doing Basic Training and AIT for the National Guard this
quarter, but we expect with her past success, including winning Folkstyle Nationals and Fargo, that she’ll burst onto the scene successfully for us.

4. How do you feel about your preseason? Were there any significant moments?
Pre-season for us started March 14th. When the athletes stepped onto campus on September 26th, there were certain strength and conditioning measurements they had to meet to begin the season. They took that seriously and came in ready to go. We had an amazing team building experience with the USMC Officer Candidate Selection staff to kick things off. When our new facility opened, our team was on the mat at 7am to be the first to have practice in the new room. That mentality will
serve us well this year.

5. Talk about some of your team’s goals this season. Are there any specific events you’re excited about?
The team’s goal remains the same this year as last year—“win everything.” We came up short last year. We’re working in a way to not come up short again. Our year kicks off with the NWCA All-Star Dual which Gabby and Peyton will both wrestle in. Team events generally are where we thrive, so National Duals (and the chance to repeat) is one we always look forward to. We will be facing Campbellsville in Austin on Flo for our Mid-South Conference match. The team is looking forward to
the atmosphere of the Soldier Salute in late December, but also the chance to make history at the NAIA National Championships.

6. What are some things you have built into your program that you credit for the success you have had so far?
More than anything, we try to recruit good people. Athletes who are fighting for the team, not just themselves. That focus of doing it for something bigger than yourself, of doing it for love and each other. That is what makes this team push and give maximum effort and occasionally do what seems impossible.

7. Who are some of the personalities in the room that are providing leadership and shaping your culture?
We have a policy of “no team captains.” Everyone is empowered to take a leadership role. I’m proud of how vocal Riley Dalrymple has been this year. Devyn put in a lot of work this summer and it shows in how strong she is. The team often looks to Peyton, and she is really embracing that role. We are seeing many of our freshman come in and lead by example in their work ethic and tenacity. Anna for example is close to hitting a sub six-minute mile, and the team is cheering her on the whole
way. More than anything, our culture is being shaped through the support of each other to be their best and be true to themselves doing it.

8. Anything else you would like to mention?
We are incredibly lucky to have such an amazing support system here at Life. In addition to myself and Christian we have, Victoria Francis (Volunteer Coach and HWC member), Jordan Nelson (Graduate Assistant and HWC member), Shelby Ghersi (Graduate Assistant) as well as several alumni who remain active with us including Jennifer Juarez (WCWA AA and MSC Champion), Katalina Bartelt (2x NAIA AA, MSC Champion and Valedictorian). We have amazing strength and conditioning coaches with Coach Tommy Stucky and Laura Delosier, and our Sports Dietician Cathy Tillery. That is on top of the academic and administrative support that we get from Jayme Pendergast, our Athletic Director. Having people that support you is so especially important to the success of a program, and we could not ask for more.