Completing & Competing

Mark Ritchhart, Assistant Softball Coach at Union University, has found personal success in sports for as long as he can remember, but it's his relationship with God and being anchored in His word that has mattered most. With 35+ years of coaching and more awards than he can count, Mark's trophy case is worth nothing if he doesn't have contentment in Christ! Want to connect? Email:...

Erik Solberg, Head Women's Soccer Coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluffs, shares a story of love, trust, faith, blessings, goodness, and constant learning of what God wants to teach him.  Erik says he is "really just a nobody trying to tell everybody about somebody who can save anybody," and that somebody is Jesus!  Regardless of where Erik's feet are planted from a...

Nicole Mendes, former 2x National Champion for the Oklahoma Sooner Softball Program, member of the Mexico Women's National Team, and current professional softball player for Athlete's Unlimited, shares an earthy story with an incredibly Eternal perspective.  As an athlete, Nicole has found immense success, but it's her relationship with Christ and the passions that He has put in her...

Jonathon Hodoh, current sports performance specialist and former Wide Receiver for the University of Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, discusses his intentional relationship with Christ and the Christ-centered individuals God has given him to walk through the highs and trials of this life with.  Through trials, Jonathon thought that he had lost what was most important to him, but in all actuality, he end...

Lauren Sumski, Head Women's Basketball Coach at Lipscomb University, shares a story all about Jesus and trusting His plan for her life even when that life looked dramatically different than what she had thought or planned for herself in her youth.  Lauren refers to her life as her "dream life with her dream people," walking in true purpose, answering the calls that God has put on he...

Madison Floyd, a current member of the University of the Incarnate Word Softball Program, has a unique story to tell. A story rooted in the foundation of faith that she was raised in and how that faith has continued to grow and transform for His glory through many different trails and hardships that she has faced.  Madi wants to flip the script on hardships, knowing that God is for her, she is wal...

Kelen Rutz, a former member of the Yakima Valley College Baseball Program and current area representative for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Kennewick, WA, is truly on a mission to glorify Christ with every breath he takes and word he speaks!  Kelen is passionate, he is convicted, and He knows without a shadow of a doubt that God not only has a plan for his life but for all of us when we...

Cati Leak, Assistant Beach Volleyball Coach at LSU, shares a story of God's intentional love and pursuit of her heart and soul, even when she wholeheartedly believed she didn't deserve it.  God has used His people to love Cati and to love her well. Walking with her, holding her, and reminding her that she is so incredibly loved for exactly who He says she is. A love that she couldn'...

Kory Gribbin, Special Teams and Recruiting Coordinator for Duquesne University Football, challenges us all to take personal ownership of our faith and our relationship with Christ. To take that leap of faith that He has called us to, knowing that there is abundant life on the other side of that step of faith if we are willing to get our "butts out of the boat!" Want to connect with Kory?...

Trinity Medina, Graduate Assistant Softball Coach at Benedictine College, knows that as long as she is holding God's hand, she may stumble, but she will never fall!  Trinity shares a story that only confirms that our God is alive, all-powerful, and meets us all right where we are with no intention of leaving us there when we truly surrender to Him and the calling He has put on our lives.  She...

Ryan Armstrong, a Strength and Conditioning Intern at Clemson University, has an incredibly heartfelt story to share about the ups and downs that this earthly life will offer every one of us.  His story has had valley moments and mountain peak moments, but Ryan challenges us all to keep seeking Him, putting Him first, and fighting for what He has in store for our lives because the joy that is comi...

Iver McDonald, mother, coach, and lead pastor of Moontower Church in Austin, TX, has a passion and a heart for God's people. She shares a beautiful story of obedience, perseverance, and a conviction that wherever God can position her to love people and love them well, that is what she wants to do! Want to connect? Email: completingandcompeting@gmail.com Website: completingandcompeting.org Twi...

Trenton Hatfield, safety for the Ball State Cardinals Football Program, shares an imperfect story covered by a Perfect God. A story of grace, intentional Christ-centered communities, and a competitor that is now much more concerned with who God says He is than his statistics on the field. Want to connect? Email: completingandcompeting@gmail.com Website: completingandcompeting.org Twitter: @candcmi...

Chad Simpson, Tennis Director for Athlete's in Action, shares an amazing story of conviction. As a decorated former student-athlete and former collegiate tennis coach, Chad was checking all of the earthly accolade boxes, but it was his investment in his athlete's spiritual journeys that was the true calling that God put on his heart and soul to advance His Kingdom!  Chad challenges athle...

Jessica Nimmo, current member of the Carroll College Softball Program, has an imperfect story covered by a perfect Savior. Jessica didn't grow up in the church, but through a series of decisions, she realized that there was something missing in her life, His love.  Recently saved and on fire for Christ, Jessica is on a mission within her team and on her campus to glorify and personify Him. Ch...

Shawna Juarez, Head Softball Coach at Carroll College, shares a beautiful story of His unconditional love. Reminding coaches everywhere that "coaching is a profession of love, and if we cannot love our athletes, how can we lead them?" Want to connect? Email: completingandcompeting@gmail.com Website: completingandcompeting.org Twitter: @candcministry Instagram: @candcministry 

Clay Van Diest, Marian University's Head Men's Hockey Coach, has led a Christ-centered life focused on his mind, body, and spirit, both on and off the ice, for as long as He can remember.  Clay challenges athletes and coaches alike to find their identity is something bigger than themselves and the game that they play or coach. Knowing that although we may all show our faith in different...

Kyla Lockley, assistant softball coach at Texas Lutheran University, challenges us all to love each other to the best of our abilities because that is what He put us here to do.  From the highs and lows that this life may bring, Kyla's heart for His people truly shines through the life she leads, both on and off the field!  Want to connect? Email: completingandcompeting@gmail.com Website: com...

Haylee Lehman, a current member of Drake softball, has an energy, passion, and conviction to tell the world about our Savior. When you listen to Haylee's story, you cannot tell us that God is not real and that He is not actively and intentionally pursuing her heart and soul for His glory!  Haylee challenges us all, "no matter where you are going or what you are doing right now, take that...

Grace Lyons, starting shortstop for the University of Oklahoma Sooners and a current member of Team USA, truly has a passion and conviction to share God's love with our world. Grace's identity is not found in her athletic performance, but in her mission to win people for Christ!  From leading team prayers in High School to leading prayers at the Women's College World Series hand in...

Cat Osterman, former Team USA pitcher and member of the University of Texas Hall of Honor, says that any talents she has been given are God give. Cat has a beautiful story to share about God's radical pursuit of her heart and the intentional relationship that she has formed with Christ in her adult life is truly inspiring. A relationship that allows her to use her platform, both on and off th...

Aubree Munro, Team USA Catcher, truly has the heart to pursue the purpose that God has placed on her soul. From two-time National Champion at the University of Florida to Olympic Silver Medalist, Aubree has competed at the highest levels of the game, however, when you ask her, her purpose and passion in each of those spaces has always been to glorify and personify Him with a content heart. Want to...

Daryn Grams, a current member of the Sam Houston State Bearkats Softball Program, lives her life with unwavering and inspiring faith. She trusts Him and His power regardless of earthly circumstances, knowing that He is walking with her, He will never forsake her, and that His plans for her life are immeasurable more than she can truly fathom!  Want to connect? Email: completingandcompeting@gmail.c...

Bobby Moorehead, a former member of the University of Montana Griz Basketball Program, grew up a Pastor's kid but would tell you that he didn't truly become a follower of Christ until college.  Bobby discusses how the most appealing part of Christianity to him is the logical side of it. In a world that is so broken, we can look out and say there has to be a God because without Him our jo...

Sara Berthiaume, a current member of the Florida Atlantic University Softball Program, is led by His love both on and off the field. Sara knows that her identity is not found in her performance but in everything He has equipped her with. She challenges athletes everywhere to stop trying to please people when the only opinion that matters is the Lord's. Because "if you are being someone w...