By Don Gilmore, TMU Assistant Sports Editor

TMU’s Morgan Koch and Skyler Mikesell were two of 16 Golden State Athletic Conference athletes honored with the Cliff Hamlow Champions of Character award Sunday evening in Costa Mesa.

The award is given to one male and one female student-athlete on each GSAC campus who demonstrates outstanding athletic achievement, campus and community leadership, future ambition, and embraces the five core character values of the NAIA Champions of Character program (Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Sportsmanship, and Servant Leadership).

Student-athletes must be at least a junior academically and carry a 3.00 grade-point average. The award is named after former Commissioner Cliff Hamlow, who served the conference from its inception in 1986 to 2012. Dr. Hamlow was also a key leader in the creation of the NAIA’s Champions of Character program.

Koch has left her mark on The Master’s University on the court, in the classroom, and relationally. The senior holds a stellar GPA as a Kinesiology & Physical Education major with hopes of one day managing her own physical therapy clinic.

As for relationships, she co-led a service trip to Brazil with her teammates in 2017 where she helped orchestrate outreach projects for three weeks, working with multiple churches, schools, and youth programs. This year, Koch spearheaded a collection of packages for Operation Christmas Child, a program that provides gifts for those in need.

In the classroom, Koch is detail-oriented, according to professor Dave Larsen, leading in lab settings and communicating key ideas.

“Her academic qualification and personal character put her in top 1 percent of students in her field of study,” Larsen said.

On the court, Koch was a daunting presence at the net, a 6-1 middle blocker who was among the GSAC’s best. She was named all-conference three times. Twice she was a GSAC and NAIA Scholar-Athlete. What’s more, she was always a stellar teammate and a crucial factor in creating a team culture that honors Jesus in everything.

In fact, her attitude was influential in five new athletes deciding to join the program. As a co-captain, Koch consistently promoted great sportsmanship by drawing the team together to pray when an athlete was injured, showing constant compassion and respect.

Despite competing in sports defined by time, Skyler Mikesell’s impact on The Master’s University cross country and track and field teams isn’t so easily quantified. Credited by his coaches for cultivating a fun and clique-free cross country clubhouse and for uniting the track team’s sprint and distance groups, Mikesell is a senior who’s made a difference with his actions and words as much as his legs.

What’s more, he owns the second-fastest 800- and 1500-meter times in program history, and is the only runner in TMU men’s track history to earn NAIA All-American status in the 1500. He’s equally apt in the classroom, where he is a double major in Communication and Business Administration.

Mikesell is a two-time GSAC and NAIA Scholar-Athlete and is on track to graduate Magna Cum Laude with an eye toward working in the film industry–an area of skill he’s already put to use. During cross country season, he produced a series of videos titled “The Clubhouse,” which featured his teammates as actors and built chemistry among the runners.

At other times, he hosted the cross country team at his apartment for dinner and he helped organize TMU’s Winter 5k which raised money for Children’s Hunger Fund.

“Skyler pours his heart and soul into the guys and loves on them,” said coach Zach Schroeder. “Because of that, they are so willing to follow him.”