Langford named Game Changer of the Month

WICHITA, Kan. — The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) and Commissioner Ted Breidenthal are pleased to announce the Game One "Game Changers of the Month" for the month of March.

The Game Changer of the Month recognition celebrates and highlights KCAC student-athletes and staff members in a wide variety of categories and is intended for those who fit the definition of a "Game Changer" in the eye of the athletic department and institution. Any KCAC student-athlete or staff member who fits their definition of a Game Changer is eligible to be nominated by an athletic staff member from any KCAC member institution.  KCAC athletic staff are encouraged to identify and nominate Game Changers for consideration who are then reviewed and selected through a voting process. These individuals embody the spirit of the KCAC and have separated themselves by making a distinct and noticeable difference and impact on their campus, in the KCAC and beyond.   This award celebrates individuals in the KCAC, in our athletic departments, and on our campuses for their impact.  As described, this recognition is not restricted to statistics and objective measures.

Sterling College's head football coach, Reggie Langford was named the Game Changer of the Month for the month of March. Other game changers include Darby Weidl of Ottawa University and Mia Roman of Bethel College.

Langford will be recognized on Wednesday, April 16 at a Sterling College softball game.
 

Reggie Langford
Sterling College
Football Head Coach

Langford was nominated by K.C. Bassett, Associate Athletic Director, Senior Woman Leader, and Women's Basketball Head Coach at Sterling College.

Langford was hired as the head football coach in June, and has taken steps to change the culture of the football program, both during the football season and in the offseason. Bassett noted that the change in culture on the football team has been seen in other parts of campus, as the team has made a point to attend different events at Sterling College, as well as supporting the local high school and its basketball teams this offseason.

Langford also led a group of Sterling College students on a mission trip to Delaware over spring break.

"Reggie Langford has done a wonderful job using his positive energy to positively affect the Sterling College campus," Bassett remarked. "He is working to change the culture of the football program. As a result, the football team is supporting other factions on campus, and it has created an electric atmosphere this spring. We are so proud of Reggie and the impact he is having across campus."
 

 
Darby Weidl
Ottawa University
Women's Wrestling Student-Athlete

Weidl was nominated by Katie Tooley, director of sports information at Ottawa University.

Weidl became the second Ottawa Brave women's wrestler in history to finish second (Brandy Lowe was the other) at NAIA Nationals. Weidl won her first four matches, including defeating Flor Parker Borrero (ranked No. 2 in the NAIA in the 160 lb. weight class in the final regular-season rankings) and avenging a loss to Allyssa Johnson (Jamestown). Johnson defeated Weidl in the championship match at the KCAC Championships two weeks prior. Weidl came up short in the NAIA 160 lb. Championship match to Latifah Mcbryde on a 7-2 decision.

"Darby isn't just an exceptional wrestler—she's an even better person," Tooley commented. "She's one of the most enjoyable athletes our sports information department has the privilege to cover. After battling injuries over the past few years, she proved to the NAIA just how talented she truly is. Taking down the No. 2 seed in dramatic fashion and reaching the finals, Darby Weidel is a true Game Changer!"
 

Mia Roman
Bethel College
Women's Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field and Women's Volleyball Student-Athlete

Roman was nominated by Stacy Middleton, Athletic Operations Administrator and Senior Woman Leader at Bethel College.

Roman has had a strong showing at track & field meets over the last two months, at the end of the indoor season and the beginning of the outdoor season. She started the month of February by breaking her own 800m record, a record she had set last season. She then followed that up the next week by breaking the 1000m record for the second time in the indoor season at the Concordia Classic. Mia capped off her season by breaking her 800m record again, shaving an additional two seconds with a time of 2:23.14 at the conference meet (finished fourth). Throughout the season, Mia went "five for five" on school records—breaking the 1000m record twice, the 800m record twice, and also setting a new Mile record earlier in the season during her debut in the event.

To begin the outdoor season, she took home first place in the 1500 meters and second in the 400 meters at the Bethel College Invite to open the season, and then finished fifth in the 800 meters at the ESU Relays. She was the top NAIA finisher in the event at the ESU Relays, in a field with NCAA Div. I and Div. II competition. So far this outdoor track season, she ranks fifth in the KCAC in the 400 meters, second in the conference in the 800 meters, and 14th in the 1500 meters.

"Mia is one of those athletes you can truly rely on because she is a competitor who always delivers," Middleton said of Roman. "She runs with confidence and does not shy away from challenges. As a coach, it's incredibly rewarding to have athletes you can trust fully when you need someone to step up. Mia is also coachable and always open to the challenges that come with this sport. Over the past two seasons, she made a significant career change in her training, and it has paid off with these record-breaking performances."

"She is not only an exceptional athlete but also a great teammate who is always supportive of her peers on and off campus," Middleton continued. "Her leadership and presence will be missed on campus and on the track, but I'm excited to see her shine in the next chapter of her life."

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ABOUT THE KANSAS COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and sponsors 28 varsity sports. Founded in 1890, the KCAC is the second oldest intercollegiate athletic conference in the country. As the conference home to 14 member institutions, the KCAC emphasizes commitment, cooperation, high achievement, and working towards a common goal in the act of competition. To keep up with the latest conference news, follow the KCAC on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram using the handle @kcacsports.