A Year of Championships, Records, and Ram Pride: WSSU Athletics Celebrates Historic 2025-26 Campaign
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The 2025-26 year was one to remember for Winston-Salem State University Athletics. Across the department, the Rams added championship moments, postseason runs, individual honors, record-breaking performances, and historic firsts that reflected the continued growth and competitive standards of WSSU Athletics.
By the end of the year, WSSU had captured three CIAA championships, earned 16 All-CIAA selections, collected 43 Player of the Week honors, received 17 All-Region honors, recorded 19 top-three finishes in track and field, produced one NCAA All-American, earned three CIAA Coach of the Year awards, added six CIAA All-Tournament selections, sent three Football Players to the HBCU Legacy Bowl, claimed one CIAA Offensive Player of the Year honor, and broke seven school records.
The Rams also received major coaching recognition beyond the conference. Women's Basketball Head Coach Tierra Terry was named the NSMA Clarence "Big House" Gaines Women's Coach of the Year, while Golf Head Coach Charles Penny II earned Black College Golf Coaches Association HBCU Coach of the Year honors.
Men's Basketball
WSSU Men's Basketball added to the department's weekly honors during the season, with Abou Camara earning CIAA Defensive Player of the Week recognition.
Women's Basketball
WSSU Women's Basketball put together one of the most historic seasons in program history. The Rams were named CIAA Regular Season Southern Division Co-Champions, captured the CIAA Tournament Championship for the first time in school history, earned the program's first-ever NCAA Regional Qualifier appearance, and finished as the Atlantic Regional Runner-Up.
The season also came with multiple school records. The Rams broke the program record for most wins in a season with 28 and set a new mark for most consecutive wins with 16.
Several Rams earned individual recognition throughout the year. Amari Baldwin was named CIAA Rookie of the Week, while Maia Charles earned All-CIAA Second Team honors and was named Player of the Week twice. Neveah Farmer was selected to the CIAA Women's Basketball All-Tournament Team and earned All-CIAA Second Team honors, while Jakaiya Mack also received CIAA All-Tournament Team recognition.
Ah'Kiyah Pye earned All-CIAA Rookie Team honors and was named CIAA Rookie of the Week three times. Breonna Roaf was named CIAA Rookie of the Year, earned All-CIAA Rookie Team honors, and collected four Rookie of the Week awards. Makayla Waleed was named the CIAA Women's Basketball Tournament Most Valuable Player, earned All-Tournament Team honors, received All-CIAA Second Team recognition, and was named Defensive Player of the Week.
Head Coach Tierra Terry was named CIAA Women's Basketball Coach of the Year and later added the NSMA Clarence "Big House" Gaines Women's Coach of the Year honor.
Powerhouse Cheer
WSSU Powerhouse Cheer was represented by two All-CIAA selections during the 2025-26 year. Sydney Sharpe and She'Kinah Daniels both earned All-CIAA Cheerhonors.
Women's Cross Country
WSSU Women's Cross Country finished third at the CIAA WSSU Cross Country. They added to the department's weekly recognition, with Ava Millner earning CIAA Cross Country Weekly honors during the season.
Men's Cross Country
WSSU Men's Cross Country showed continued progress during the 2025-26 season, finishing sixth at the CIAA Cross Country Championships. The finish marked the program's highest conference placement since 2016, giving the Rams another milestone moment in a year filled with growth across the department.
Flag Football
WSSU Flag Football continued its championship standard by capturing the CIAA Flag Football Championship for the second consecutive year. The back-to-back title added another championship moment to an already impressive year for the Rams.
Football
WSSU Football produced one of the strongest individual award years in recent program history, highlighted by three HBCU Legacy Bowl participants, the most in school history.
Jamieson "Jupe" Alston was named the CIAA Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, earned Linebacker of the Week honors twice, received All-CIAA Second Team recognition, and was selected as a 2026 HBCU Legacy Bowl participant.
CJ Brown earned All-CIAA Second Team honors and was named Defensive Line Player of the Week. Davontay Deloatch received Wide Receiver of the Week honors, while Zaire Falls was named Offensive Line Player of the Week.
Jaquan Kelly was selected as a 2026 HBCU Legacy Bowl participant and went on to earn 2026 HBCU Legacy Bowl Offensive MVP honors. Daylin Lee earned Quarterback of the Week recognition, Jahari Mitchell was named Wide Receiver of the Week, and Daniel Williams earned Linebacker of the Week honors.
Evan Powell also put together a strong year, earning Defensive Back of the Week honors, All-CIAA Second Team recognition, and a selection to the 2026 HBCU Legacy Bowl.
Golf
WSSU Golf made history of its own, finishing as the CIAA Golf Championship Runner-Up and earning the program's first-ever NCAA Regional Qualifier appearance. The Rams finished 12th at the regional tournament, marking another step forward for the program.
Head Coach Charles Penny II was named the Black College Golf Coaches Association HBCU Coach of the Year.
Individually, Cameron Lutterloh finished first overall, earned All-CIAA Tournament Team honors, received the Low Medalist Award, and was named to the BCGCA HBCU All-Freshman Team. Godfrey Nsubuga earned All-CIAA Team honors and was named the BCGCA HBCU Co-Golfer of the Year for Non-Division I. Conner Lineberryreceived BCGCA HBCU All-Freshman Team Honorable Mention recognition.
Softball
WSSU Softball finished as the CIAA Softball Tournament Runner-Up and produced several individual honors throughout the season.
Jyla Thomas earned Pitcher of the Week honors, was named to the All-CIAA Tournament Team, and received 2026 Softball All-Atlantic Region Second Team recognition. Riley Demers earned Offensive Player of the Week honors and was also named to the All-CIAA Tournament Team.
Layla Smith earned All-CIAA Second Team honors. Kira Bryant was named Rookie of the Week, Laniya Rouse earned Offensive Player of the Week honors, and Ilyana Smith collected both Rookie of the Week and Defensive Player of the Week recognition.
Tennis
WSSU Tennis had three student-athletes to earn All-CIAA honors during the year. Mckinley Battle was named Women's Tennis Player of the Week and earned All-CIAA Team recognition. Makayla Stewart also received Women's Tennis Player of the Week honors and was selected to the All-CIAA Team. Kyla Burns rounded out the Rams' All-CIAA selections.
Women's Indoor Track & Field
WSSU Women's Indoor Track & Field finished third at the CIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships and delivered several standout performances.
Brianna Benloss earned NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field All-Region honors in the 60 meters. Elicia Bryant finished third in the one-mile run at the CIAA Indoor Championships. Lanyjah Gunter won the long jump and earned Field Athlete of the Week honors.
Leila Henderson broke the WSSU indoor shot-put record with a mark of 14.15 meters, earned NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field All-Region honors in the shot put, finished second in the shot put at the CIAA Indoor Championships, and was named Field Athlete of the Week.
Rainn Sheppard finished third in the 800 meters, while Layla Simpson won the pentathlon and placed third in the high jump. Asheika Smith earned NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field All-Region honors in the 400 meters and was named Track Athlete of the Week.
The Distance Medley Relay team of Ava Millner, Leigh Wills, Rainn Sheppard, and Elicia Bryant finished second at the CIAA Indoor Championships. The 4x400-meter relay team of Olivia Cosby, Simone Kelly, Leigh Wills, and Asheika Smith also finished second at the CIAA Indoor Championships and earned NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field All-Region honors.
Women's Outdoor Track & Field
WSSU Women's Outdoor Track & Field brought another championship back to Winston-Salem, capturing the CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship for the second consecutive year. The Rams also produced two NCAA National Track & Field Championships qualifiers and continued to show their depth across sprints, hurdles, jumps, throws, middle distance, and relays.
Head Coach Antonio Wells was named CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year.
The Rams had several standout performers score at the CIAA Outdoor Championships. Brianna Benloss finished third in the 100 meters, Jaynissa Cauthen placed second in the 400-meter hurdles, Lanyjah Gunter won the long jump, and Leila Henderson broke the WSSU outdoor discus record with a mark of 46.78 meters while finishing second in the event.
Charnessa Reid was a major contributor in multiple events, placing second in the long jump and third in the 100-meter hurdles at the CIAA Outdoor Championships. She also qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships in the 100-meter hurdles and earned Second Team All-American honors after finishing ninth in the nation.
Rainn Sheppard delivered one of the top individual performances of the outdoor season, winning both the 800 meters and 1500 meters at the CIAA Outdoor Championships. She also broke the WSSU outdoor 800-meter record with a time of 2:09.19 and the outdoor 1500-meter record with a time of 4:37.69. Sheppard qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships, finished 18th in the nation in the 800 meters, and earned Track Athlete of the Week honors.
Asheika Smith added another top three finish for the Rams, placing third in the 400 meters. The 4x400-meter relay team of Olivia Cosby, Rainn Sheppard, Asheika Smith, and Leigh Wills also helped close out a strong championship performance for WSSU.
Volleyball
WSSU Volleyball was named CIAA Regular Season Southern Division Co-Champion and earned several major individual honors during the season.
Zoe Chesson earned All-CIAA Second Team honors. Kalyn Cuthbertson was named Defensive Player of the Week. Holiday Ellis earned Offensive Player of the Week honors twice, was named CIAA Offensive Player of the Year, received All-CIAA First Team recognition, and earned 2025 D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Second Teamhonors.
Celina Johnson was named Rookie of the Week three times. Angelica Turnage earned All-CIAA Rookie Team honors, while Kamiyah Wilson was named All-CIAA First Team.
Head Coach Christa Brown was named CIAA Volleyball Coach of the Year.
Thank You, Ramily
Winston-Salem State University Athletics thanks the Ramily for its support throughout an unforgettable 2025-26 year. Whether cheering from the stands, following along the road, or celebrating each milestone from afar, Ram Nation played a significant role in the energy surrounding this year's success.
As WSSU Athletics looks ahead to the 2026-27 year, the department is excited to build on this momentum, continue raising the standard, and create even more championship moments for the Ramily.
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