LINCOLN, Neb. -- Three Nebraska Wesleyan student-athletes have been awarded NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships, catapulting the Prairie Wolves into elite company nationally. Ella Ford (women's tennis), Avery Decker (women's track and field) and Morgan Conner (men's track and field) each received the $10,000 scholarship for graduate study.
The three Nebraska Wesleyan recipients push the department total to 71 in its history. NWU now boasts 56 winners since 2001 – ranking third nationally among all NCAA divisions and second in Division III during that span, surpassing Nebraska (54) for third place all-time among NCAA institutions.
As a three-year team captain, Ford helped shape the women's tennis program during her tenure while compiling a 40-64 career record in singles and doubles competition. She was a four-time letterwinner and three-time American Rivers Conference All-Academic honoree who maintained a perfect 4.00 GPA as a biology and psychology double major. Away from tennis, Ford distinguished herself academically while preparing for a career in medicine. Ford plans to attend the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine as she begins to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.
"I'm incredibly grateful to have received this scholarship from the NCAA- it's an opportunity that reflects the support I've had from professors, coaches, and faculty at NWU," Ford said. "Their encouragement has opened so many doors for me throughout my undergraduate years, and this scholarship is a big part of helping me take the next step as I prepare to start medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center this fall."
Decker dominated the javelin nationally, capturing the NCAA Division III championship with a throw of 159 feet, 9 inches, the tenth-longest mark in division III history. Decker holds four career All-American honors in the javelin. Decker earned her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and posted a perfect 4.0 GPA while competing in outdoor track & field the past two seasons. She will attend medical school at A.T. Still University in Kirksville, MO.
"This is a great honor and a true testament to the ways NWU has helped me grow as a student, athlete, and a leader." Decker said. "This scholarship and my experiences as an NCAA DIII student-athlete will undoubtedly help me to succeed as I begin medical school."
Conner earned an All-American honor in 2023 as a part of the 4x400 meter relay team. The exercise science major, appears five times on NWU's elite outdoor track & field top ten charts. The Dean's List regular maintained a 3.62 GPA while working as an intern at a local chiropractic facility. He will attend chiropractic school at Cleveland University Kansas City.
"I am thankful beyond words to receive this incredible honor going into the next chapter of my education," said Conner. "I've been blessed with amazing professors, coaches, and teammates since transferring to Nebraska Wesleyan, and this is a reflection of the belief and support they've poured into me."
Ford, Decker and Conner join an exclusive group of NWU postgraduate scholarship winners that includes current professionals in medicine, law, education and business leadership across the country. The NCAA awards 126 postgraduate scholarships annually across all sports and divisions to student-athletes who demonstrate academic excellence, athletic achievement and leadership qualities.
About the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Program
The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship was created in 1964 to promote and encourage graduate education by rewarding the Association's most accomplished student-athletes through their participation in NCAA championship and/or emerging sports. Athletics and academic achievements, campus involvement, community service, volunteer activities and demonstrated leadership are evaluated. An equitable approach is employed in reviewing an applicant's nomination form to provide all student-athlete nominees an opportunity to receive the graduate award, regardless of sport, division, gender or race. In maintaining the highest broad-based standards in the selection process, the program aims to reward those individuals whose dedication and effort are reflective of those characteristics necessary to succeed and thrive through graduate study.
