BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University athletic department has announced the three individuals and one team who will be inducted into the King Athletics Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Bank of Tennessee.
Morgan Machen (women's volleyball),
Derek Nave (men's track and field),
Sarah Hildebrandt (women's wrestling) and the
2010 women's cross country team will be part of the 2025 class.
Morgan Machen had a standout career on the volleyball court. During King's final two years competing in the Appalachian Athletic Conference, she was named All-Conference (as a freshman) and AAC Player of the Year, in addition to being NAIA Honorable Mention All-American. During the two years that King participated in the NCCAA, Machen helped the Tornado qualify for both NCCAA national tournaments, in addition to being ranked 5th nationally.
Derek Nave still finds himself in the King men's track and field record book as the record holder in the Discus, where he marked 51.90 meters in 2010. During the 2010 indoor season, Nave finished third at the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) championships in the weight throw, marking 15.35 meters. That year at the NCCAA outdoor championships, he had a second-place finish in the hammer throw and a third-place finish in the discus.
One of the most decorated wrestlers in King history, Sarah Hildebrandt is a two-time Olympic medalist wrestler, including winning gold in 2024. During her Tornado career, she won two WCWA national championships and was a four-time national finalist. During her junior and senior years, she went undefeated. She was a member of the 2013-14 team that helped King win the first WCWA national championship in program history. She also served as the President of SAAC during her time at King.
The 2010 women's cross country team made history in their own right, as they were the first King athletic team to compete at an NCAA Division II national championship, qualifying for the 2010 edition after a second-place finish at the NCAA Southeast Regional meet. Carrie Nelson, Danielle Beauvais and Naseem Haje were named United States Track & Field Coaches Association All-Southeast region. The 2010 team remains the lone King women's cross country team to compete at the NCAA National Championships.
The class of three individuals and one team will formally be inducted into the King Athletics Hall of Fame sponsored by the Bank of Tennessee at a ceremony on Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. inside the King University dining hall.
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