Three Yellow Jackets named to 2023-24 HCAC Sportsmanship Team

CARMEL, Ind. - Three Defiance College student-athletes were honored by the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference on Thursday as recipients of the Christopher M. Ragdale Sportsmanship Award for the 2023-24 winter season. Senior Will Garlock (Lima, Ohio/LCC) of men's basketball, women's basketball sophomore Zadria King (Middle Point, Ohio/Lincolnview), and junior David Heidelburg of track and field (Fremont, Ohio/Ross) were recognized for their consistent demonstration positive sportsmanship on and off the court/field. The HCAC's Sportsmanship Team has been a conference-wide initiative since 2009 and are selected by their coaches and teammates.

Garlock has been a student assistant for the men's basketball team, among many other campus roles, over his four years at DC. He was awarded for his years of dedication with the opportunity to dress and start in Defiance's last home game of the NCAA era on February 10 vs. Hanover.

King emerged as a leader early in the season in the absence of nine women's basketball players from the previous season. She also finished as the team leader in points per game (13.1, sixth in HCAC), rebounds (7.8, second in HCAC), and shooting percentage (35.8 percent, fourth in HCAC).

Heidelburg embraced his first season of collegiate track and field at Defiance after also competing in football. The junior threw the shotput in six indoor events with a season-best 9.59 meters (31'6") at Wittenberg and posted a 20th-place finish at the HCAC Championships.

-JACKETS-