Featured Student-Athletes in October

October was a busy month in all departments at Kansas Wesleyan. Student-athletes kept busy and earned great achievements this month. This article features some athletes who went above and beyond, earning nationally recognized achievements that made KWU proud.

Luke Armstrong- KCAC Offensive Player of the Week

Luke Armstrong #11

Armstrong had an exceptional week, with his hard work and dedication being nationally recognized. His outstanding performance earned him KCAC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season. 

Armstrong is a junior, majoring in Pre-Physical Therapy. He is from Carlsbad California and went to a Junior College before coming to Kansas Wesleyan last year.

Playing since 3^rd grade Armstrong has a heart for football. During his JUCO years, he took a year off, but never took his head out of the game. He is now in his second year at KWU and has had an extraordinary season.

Armstrong has earned the title of KCAC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season. KCAC picks this based on stats from the previous week and compares players from across the nation.

Armstrong was first picked in week two of the season for the impressive win against the Bethany Swedes (54-16). Armstrong had 8 rushes, adding up to 168 yards. In the second quarter, Armstrong had a 90-yard run, scoring two touchdowns.

He received the KCAC recognition again for the game against Saint Mary where the Coyotes won 38-19. This was one of Armstrong’s best games in his career. He had 264 yards on 19 carriers, where he made three touchdowns before halftime.

While the Coyotes have undergone some changes this last month, the team is staying strong. Armstrong accredits his accomplishments to his team,

“The offensive line created a wide opening for me to run through, and the defense was promoting what I was doing throughout the game.”

Being a student-athlete

For Armstrong being a student-athlete means getting all of his schoolwork done prior to practice. Letting him go into practice with a clear mind and solid focus. With this he can focus on becoming a better athlete during practice, and a better student during class.

Armstrong will finish his undergraduate degree next year here at KWU. After he receives his Bachelor in Pre-physical Therapy he will go back home to San Diego and attend a Physical Therapy school.

Josie Deckinger- KCAC Setter of the Week

Josie Deckinger | KWU Roster

Deckinger earned KCAC Setter of the Week after a tremendous game against Oklahoma Wesleyan.

Deckinger is a Graduate student from Wichita Kansas. She got her bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from KWU. After teaching Physical Education in the spring, Deckinger had an extra year of eligibility which encouraged her to come back and play volleyball for a final year.

During her undergraduate years, she was involved in many clubs and activities. She was involved in student housing by being an RA, Kappa Delta Pi, Coyotes Activities Board, and was a mentor for Wesleyan Experience. As a graduate student, Deckinger works in the Registrar’s Office as a Graduate Intern.

Her love for volleyball was established at a fairly young age. Her mother played volleyball in an adult league and Deckinger was drawn to it. When she was five years old, she joined the YMCA volleyball team. After a few years there she began playing club volleyball where the passion continued.

A player’s statistics helps determine the KCAC Setter of the Week from the previous week (October 14-20). The setter of the week is picked out of all setters in the conference. Deckinger played a pivotal role in the Kansas Wesleyan vs. Oklahoma Wesleyan game on October 18^th. Averaging 13.5 assists per set, she had four service aces and four kills. Deckingers stats from that game alone made her stand out among the other setters in the NAIA. More on KWU women’s volleyball wins is an article from last season where Deckinger had 40 assists and 13 digs. 

“I am blessed to be able to receive these honors and have to give my team credit because without them assists don’t happen,” Deckinger stated.

Being a student-athlete

Deckinger has learned the struggles and rewards being a student-athlete can hold. Learning to manage time between volleyball and class work has pushed her as a student and player. She shared a rule that she follows to better her playing, “leave it at the door.” Deckinger accredits this rule to help her during her last semester. While student teaching, the stress of having to create lesson plans and still complete homework assignments built up, but volleyball became her safe space. For the two hours of practice, all she focused on was volleyball, keeping her mind off anything that happened that day or what might be happening next week.

KWU will forever be a part of Deckingers life, with her favorite games being right here on campus. In 2023 KWU women’s volleyball played Ottawa beating them in 5 sets and went on to be KCAC Co-Champions. The second being when they beat Oklahoma Wesleyan, the #6 team in the nation, in only four sets. Deckinger felt the love in the gym that day from the roaring crowd as her team became Back-to-Back Champions. She finds that KWU invests in sports and is continuously making improvements, making the environment the best to play in. 

Athletics at KWU

Kansas Wesleyan University provides a supportive environment for student-athletes. The “Power of And” philosophy encourages students to balance their academic and athletic pursuits. With the guidance of dedicated coaches and professors, student-athletes can excel in both areas.

Get ready for another exciting month of Coyote athletics in November!