Norah Atkins Earns 2026 Women’s Indoor Track & Field Wheeler Award 2/14/2026 12:00:00 AM Greenville, SC – The NCCAA is pleased to honor Norah Atkins of Greenville University as the 2026 John and Jody Wheeler Award recipient for Women’s Indoor Track & Field. ? Atkins is a senior at Greenville University where she has seen the Lord work in her spiritual, academic, and athletic development. Growing up in a Christian home, Atkins came to faith at a young age and had the privilege to attend a Christian high school. During her childhood, Atkins was able to witness the Godly trait of compassion on a consistent basis, specifically by healthcare workers who took care of her adopted brother who has dealt with disability and medical challenges over his life. Through those experiences, Atkins knew that she wanted to provide the same level of compassion to others. Outside of her education, Atkins has served as a volunteer for her local church’s high school youth group for four straight years. For two of those years, she was one of the four student leaders in charge of a group called Vespers, a student-led worship service on Thursday nights. With her team, Atkins is often described as a tender-hearted teammate who lives out her faith by caring for all those around her. Academically, Atkins has had a unique story. She earned a full-tuition scholarship to Greenville and became part of the first nursing cohort partnership with Goldfarb School of Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri. She then won a full-tuition scholarship to Goldfarb, leading her to dual enroll in both schools pursuing degrees in nursing and medical biology. She holds a 3.99 GPA at Greenville and a 3.75 GPA at Goldfarb and at the end of her collegiate career will have accumulated at minimum 148 credits and two degrees. Athletically, Atkins has been a key cog to the success of the Greenville indoor relay teams. She has won one NCCAA Indoor Track & Field 4x800-meter National Championship and earned one National Runner-Up performance. She also has earned one conference championship in the 800 meter. “In 31 years of coaching women’s cross country and track & field at Greenville, I have only known one other to have the work capacity, work ethic, and ownership Norah has displayed during her time at Greenville,” stated Brian Patton, Head Men’s & Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field Coach. “Yes, she is a talented three sport athlete. Yes, she has received great grades. Yes, she takes ownership of her faith while also volunteering to help others at the college and in town grow their faith. She has done all of this while driving two hours round trip daily for her last two years of school and getting married this past summer. Norah is by far the most worthy candidate for this award that we have ever had at Greenville.” Other Finalists Sydney Diedrich, Cedarville University Brooke O’Carroll, Asbury University Gabrielle Zeilenga, Bethel University Award Description John and Jody Wheeler were involved in supporting athletic activities of Christian high schools and colleges throughout their lives. Jody passed in 2019 and John passed in 2025 after a lifetime of actively participating in supporting Christian athletics via the NCCAA. He served on the NCCAA Board for 35 years and he and Jody founded the NCCAA Pro-Am event that has provided over $2,000,000 in support for the NCCAA since 1988. A Taylor University graduate who knew the benefit of a Christian worldview and a lifelong pursuit for God's truth, John was inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame in 2002.