SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Evangel University Department of Athletics announced the 2024-25 Dr. David Stair and Sandra Sorbo Student-Athletes of the Year on Thursday, with Devyn Wright and Maddy Meierer being named as the winners.

Dr. David Stair and Sandra Sorbo are former Evangel Athletic Directors who were advocates for all student-athletes and expected excellence from all who participated wearing the Evangel uniform. They had great respect for those who were exceptional performers in the classroom and in competition, and exemplified strong Christian leadership and sportsmanship.

The two student-athletes will be honored during Homecoming Week at the Evangel vs College of the Ozarks home volleyball game on October 1st.

Wright brought home Evangel's first national championship since 2003, when Macy Mitchell earned the title in the 400 meter dash, the same event that Devyn took the championship in.

The Ozark, Missouri, native earned All-American honors in three different events, the 400 meter indoor dash, 400 meter outdoor dash (natl. champ), and the 200 meter outdoor dash while breaking school records in several indoor and outdoor events.

In the local community, Devyn volunteered at Valor Volunteer Day, an event where Evangel students packed groceries with Convoy of Hope to give to the needy and homeless. Wright also volunteered at field day for elementary students and worked an area special olympics event.

Meierer followed up a strong freshman campaign with one of the most dominant sophomore seasons in Evangel softball history in 2025. 

Maddy was named an NAIA and NFCA All-American after recording the lowest ERA in the nation (0.88) and going 24-6 in the circle, the most wins in a single season by an Evangel pitcher. Meierer also recorded 198 strikeouts and allowed opponents just a .167 batting average at the plate this season.

Maddy has consistently served her community on campus and in Springfield, serving as a game day ticket worker for various sporting events, as well as volunteering with Champion Athletes of the Ozarks camp and Miracle League, a field with opportunities for adults and youth with disabilities to hit, catch, run bases, and play ball.

Past winners of the Stair and Sorbo Male and Female Student-Athlete of the Year are listed below:

2017-18: Male - Josh Evans (Football); Female - Sydnee Garrett (Basketball)

2018-19: Male - Andreas Moeller (Football); Female – Lexie Vaught (Basketball)

2019-20: Male – Sam Morton (Football); Female – Lexie Vaught (Basketball)

2020-21: Male – Shane Burns (XC & Track); Female – Bayley Harman (Basketball)

2021-22: Male – Cade Coffman (Men's Basketball); Female – Eryn Russell (Volleyball)

2022-23: Male – Josh Pritchett (Men's Basketball); Female – Skylar Adams (XC & Track)

2023-24: Male – Zach Myers (Football); Female – April Phillips (Track & Field)

2024-25: Male – Devyn Wright (Track and Field); Female – Maddy Meierer (Softball)

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, visit Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelValor, Twitter (@EvangelValor), or EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on their favorite EU teams by downloading the Evangel Athletics Gameday App through the App Store or Google Play.  

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