KIRKLAND, Wash. – Josiah Jaquith and Kaitlyn Mickle have been named Northwest University's 2026 Athletes of the Year, recognizing two student-athletes who made a lasting impact on Eagle Athletics through their performances, leadership, and commitment to the university's mission.
Both Jaquith and Mickle helped elevate their programs to new heights during the 2025-26 academic year while representing Northwest University with excellence both on and off the field of competition.
Mickle capped off one of the most accomplished volleyball careers in program history during her senior season. The outside hitter helped lead the Eagles to the NAIA National Tournament while guiding the program to a No. 18 ranking in the NAIA Top 25 Poll during the season.
She also reached a major career milestone by surpassing 1,000 career kills and earned 2025 Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Volleyball All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition. In the classroom, Mickle was also honored as a 2025 NAIA Scholar-Athlete, highlighting her success academically as well as athletically.
"Kaitlyn will leave NU volleyball as one of the most productive attackers in program history, and her selection as Athlete of the Year is a tribute to her athletic accomplishments and leadership," said Head Coach Steven Bain. "Knowing how humble Kaitlyn is, she will also be the first to express her gratitude to the effort and commitment of her teammates, who have enabled her and each other to achieve at the highest possible levels."
Throughout her career, Mickle became a key leader within the volleyball program and helped set the standard for competitiveness, consistency, and team culture. Her impact extended far beyond statistics, as she played a major role in helping continue the growth and success of Northwest volleyball.
Jaquith also put together a historic year for Northwest University cross country and track and field. The sophomore distance standout earned Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Player of the Week honors during the cross country season and was named CCC Academic All-Conference in both cross country and track and field.
On the national stage, Jaquith earned All-American honors in cross country while qualifying for both the CCC Championships and NAIA National Championships. He also established himself among the top distance runners in the NAIA, ranking inside the Top 25 nationally.
During the outdoor track season, Jaquith broke a long-standing Northwest University school record in the men's 1500 meters with a time of 3:54.35, continuing a breakout season that has helped elevate the Eagles distance program.
"What a great honor for Josiah!" said Head Coach Mark Mandi. "By the grace of God, Josiah was able to improve on what was already a spectacular freshman season. He works incredibly hard and goes about things with a heart for God. We are so blessed to have someone like him represent Christ and NU with the heart that he has."
Jaquith's accomplishments have helped bring national attention to Northwest University distance running while inspiring teammates through his work ethic, humility, and commitment to excellence.
Together, Mickle and Jaquith have left a lasting mark on Northwest Athletics. Their accomplishments, leadership, and dedication to their teammates have helped strengthen the culture of Eagle Athletics and will continue to impact their programs for years to come.
