Greenville, SC - The NCCAA is pleased to recognize Morgan Wood of the College of the Ozarks (CofO) as the 2026 John and Jody Wheeler Award recipient for Women’s Outdoor Track & Field. 
 
A junior from Kearney, Missouri, Wood currently holds the top score in the Heptathlon in the NCCAA, scoring 4034 points at the 2026 Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) Championships to finish in first place, winning four of the seven events. Last season, Wood earned All-American honors in the event at the 2025 NCCAA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, finishing second. Wood has also excelled in the hurdles this year, as her time of 16.89 seconds in the 100-meter Hurdles ranks fifth in the NCCAA, while her time of 1:10.16 in the 400-meter Hurdles ranks fourth in the NCCAA. Wood has also competed in the Long Jump and as a member of the 4x400 meter relay team for the Bobcats this season.
 
Off the track, Wood holds a 3.96 GPA while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Accounting CPA Pathway and Finance, earning NCCAA Scholar Athlete honors. Wood also serves in various ways in her community, volunteering at several food banks and pregnancy centers, while also leading a Bible study for freshman girls on the CofO campus. She also served overseas, traveling on a mission trip to Israel in 2025.
 
College of the Ozarks Outdoor Track Head Coach McKenzie Larkin says, “Morgan exemplifies the true spirit of a Christian athlete, demonstrating unwavering faith, integrity, and servant leadership both on and off the track and field. Through her dedication to excellence in sports, she inspires teammates with their work ethic, sportsmanship, and humility.  She leads by example, prioritizing teamwork, perseverance, and respect, embodying the values of Christ in every competition.”
 
Other Finalists
Makiyah Allen, Campbellsville University
Camryn Frick, Central Christian College of Kansas
Brooke O’Carroll, Asbury 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.