North Carolina Wesleyan University is expanding its athletic offerings with the addition of NCAA Women’s Flag Football, with the Battling Bishops set to begin competition in Spring 2028 as a member of the USA South Conference.
Kenny Inge has been named the inaugural coach of the Women’s Flag Football program. Wesleyan will begin recruiting student-athletes for the new program in Fall 2027, allowing the inaugural team to prepare for its first competitive season in Spring 2028.
“North Carolina Wesleyan is excited to announce that we will be starting a new athletic program, Women’s Flag Football, in Spring 2028,” said Wesleyan Director of Athletics John Thompson. “An emerging sport over the last several years, flag football is rapidly growing, and we believe the time is right to add to our sport offerings for women.”
Collegiate & National Growth
The addition of Women’s Flag Football at NC Wesleyan University comes as the sport continues to gain momentum at the collegiate and national levels. In January 2026, the NCAA officially added women’s flag football to its Emerging Sports for Women program. During the 2025-26 school year, 135 high schools across North Carolina had women’s flag football teams, reflecting the sport’s continued growth throughout the state.
As NC Wesleyan offers collegiate women’s flag football in eastern NC, they will join a growing group of North Carolina colleges and universities offering women’s flag football, including Meredith College, Guilford College, Wingate University, Barton College, Lees-McRae College, Catawba College and Lenoir-Rhyne University.
Within the USA South Conference, Meredith College is currently the only other member institution offering women’s flag football.
What’s Next?
“We are excited to bring this growing sport to North Carolina Wesleyan and to provide another opportunity for women student-athletes to compete at the collegiate level,” Thompson said. “We look forward to building a strong program and welcoming our inaugural student-athletes to Wesleyan.”
Recruiting for the inaugural Women’s Flag Football team will begin for student-athletes entering Wesleyan in Fall 2027. Additional information about recruiting opportunities and the program will be shared through Wesleyan Athletics.
For more information on the program, contact Coach John Thompson, Wesleyan Director of Athletics, at JThompson@ncwu.edu or call 252.985.5218.
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NCWU Set to Host Second Annual Women’s Volleyball Invitational
Following a highly successful debut in 2025, North Carolina Wesleyan University is proud to announce the return of the N.C. Wesleyan Women’s Volleyball Invitational, set to take place September 4-5, 2026, inside Everett Gymnasium on the University’s campus.
The unique event will once again bring together NCAA Division III programs from across the East Coast for two days of high-level competition and an unmatched student-athlete experience. Participating institutions in this year’s invitational include North Carolina Wesleyan University, Hollins University, Regent University, Randolph College, Mary Baldwin University, and Mount Aloysius College.
Invitational Structure
Building upon the foundation established during its inaugural year, the 2026 invitational continues to reflect N.C. Wesleyan’s commitment to elevating the student-athlete experience while creating a premier event atmosphere. Teams will compete in a pool-play format on Friday before advancing into championship bracket play on Saturday, with prize money awarded to the top five finishers.
“Our goal has always been to create an event that goes beyond the matches being played on the court,” said N.C. Wesleyan Women’s Volleyball Head Coach Vicky Gentile. “The invitational is an opportunity to showcase our campus, our community, and our commitment to providing a first-class experience for student-athletes. We are excited to welcome another outstanding field of programs to Rocky Mount and continue growing this event.”
Prize Pool
The tournament champion will receive $3,000, while the runner-up will earn $2,000. Third place will receive $1,000, fourth place will earn $750, and the fifth-place finisher will take home $500. The competitive structure ensures meaningful matches throughout the weekend while rewarding excellence on the court.
The six-team field will be divided into two three-team brackets during Friday’s pool play, with Saturday’s schedule featuring a fifth-place match, third-place match, and championship contest. The format guarantees every team multiple opportunities to compete while creating an exciting championship atmosphere for fans and participants alike.
As the tournament enters its second year, N.C. Wesleyan remains committed to growing the event into one of the premier early-season tournaments in NCAA Division III volleyball. With competitive programs, a championship atmosphere, and a focus on student-athlete experience, the 2026 N.C. Wesleyan Women’s Volleyball Invitational is poised to build upon the momentum generated during its inaugural season.
Additional tournament information, including team previews, match coverage, and event details, will be released in the coming weeks through N.C. Wesleyan Athletics social media channels and ncwports.com.
NC Wesleyan Track Star Kamiyah Wooten Earns No. 1 Seed Heading into NCAA Division III 200m Finals
North Carolina Wesleyan University is celebrating another historic milestone from standout student-athlete Kamiyah Wooten, who has earned the No. 1 seed in the 200-meter dash heading into the NCAA Division III National Championship finals on Saturday, May 23, in Wisconsin.
Wooten’s journey to the top has been fueled by determination, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
“If it was easy, everyone would be doing it,” said Wooten.
What began as a freshman-year goal to become First Team All-Conference quickly evolved into a decorated collegiate career filled with championships and national recognition. After conversations with her coaches, Wooten set her sights even higher: becoming an NCAA Division III All-American.
Mission accomplished.
Resumé
Now a five-time All-American, Wooten has built one of the most accomplished résumés in program history, earning:
- Six NCAA Division III First Team All-American honors
- Six NCAA Division III Second Team All-American honors
- NCAA Division III Athlete of the Week honors
- Two NCAA USTFCCCA South Region Athlete of the Year awards
- Four USA South Conference Female Athlete of the Year awards
- Two North Carolina Wesleyan University Female Athlete of the Year honors
Currently ranked No. 1 nationally in Division III in the 200m, Wooten credits her success to a combination of hard work, mental strength, and the support system around her.
Her Inspiration
“My inspiration came from a mix of personal goals and the people around me who believed in my potential,” Wooten shared. “I’ve always wanted to push past my limits and prove to myself what I’m capable of. Seeing other elite athletes perform at a high level motivated me to elevate my own performance.”
She emphasized that reaching the top required consistency, trust in her coaches, and attention to every detail of her performance.
“Getting to number one didn’t happen overnight,” she said. “It took consistent training, staying disciplined, and focusing on the small details like my start, transition, and finish. I also had to stay mentally strong and confident, especially during tough races and practices.”
Competing at an elite level in track and field requires more than talent alone, according to Wooten.
“Competing at a high level takes a combination of physical ability, mental toughness, and discipline,” she said. “You have to be committed every day, not just at meets, but in practice, recovery, nutrition, and even rest.”
Her latest All-American honor came after another demanding season that tested both her physical and mental endurance.
“A major role in becoming All-American this season was consistency and staying locked in on my goals,” Wooten said. “It wasn’t easy. There were challenges, tough workouts, and moments where I had to push through fatigue and doubt. But staying disciplined and believing in the process helped me reach that goal.”
Wooten was also recently named NCAA USTFCCCA South Region Athlete of the Year for the second time in her career, an honor she says carries deep meaning.
“It means a lot to me mentally, physically, and emotionally,” she said. “It’s a reminder that all the hard work I’ve put in is paying off. Being recognized as the best in the region builds my confidence and motivates me even more.”
As she prepares to compete on the national stage once again, the entire Wesleyan community will be cheering her on as she races for another championship title.
