news at welch college   Welch College in Gallatin, Tennessee, has been the official college of the Free Will Baptist Denomination since 1942. To find out more information about the school, visit www.Welch.edu.

Bryan Named Coach of the Year

Gallatin, TN — Katie Bryan, head coach of the Welch College Lady Flames basketball team, has been named the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division II National Coach of the Year. The honor recognizes Bryan’s outstanding leadership during a historic season for Welch College women’s basketball.

Bryan, who has served as head coach of the Lady Flames for 12 years, led the team to a record-breaking season highlighted by winning the program’s regional championship. Her leadership has helped elevate the women’s basketball program and establish the Lady Flames as a competitive force within the division.

Under Bryan’s direction, the Lady Flames have emphasized not only athletic excellence but also the Christian character and development of student-athletes. The program’s recent success reflects years of dedication to building a culture of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance.

Bryan is a graduate of Welch College, earning an associate’s degree in biology in 2012 before completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Belmont University in 2014.

Her passion for basketball began at a young age through middle school and high school competition and continued into her collegiate years. Bryan later served alongside her father in coaching before eventually taking the helm of the Lady Flames program.

Karilyn Wieting also received the honor of First Team All-American for the NCCAA Division II. These prestigious acknowledgements further cement a historic season for the Welch College Lady Flames.
To inquire about participating in Welch athletics, email recruit@welch.edu/.

Welch College Marks Historic Year for Lady Flames Basketball

Welch College celebrates a banner year for the Lady Flames basketball program, highlighted by extraordinary individual honors and team success that will be remembered in Welch history.
The 2025–26 season marked one of the most successful campaigns in program history. Under the leadership of Head Coach Katie Bryan, the team achieved remarkable accomplishments both on and off the court, earning recognition across the region and drawing national attention. The Lady Flames received the ranking in the February Coach’s Poll of 2nd overall — the highest rank in Welch history.

Coach Katie Bryan was honored for her outstanding leadership, strategic excellence, and commitment to developing student-athletes. This prestigious honor reflects a season in which the Lady Flames demonstrated resilience, teamwork, and competitive excellence.

Senior Karilyn Wieting was named Mideast Region Player of the Year, a testament to her dominant play throughout the season. Wieting’s leadership and performance were instrumental in many of the team’s key victories, and she closed out her season as one of the most impactful players in Welch College history.

In a feat rarely seen in college basketball, Karilyn Wieting and teammate Faithe Johnstone both reached the milestone of 1,000 career points this season. Their scoring achievements highlight not only their individual talent but also the offensive versatility and balance that defined the Lady Flames’ attack. To date, Wieting has 1,414 points and 734 rebounds. Johnstone has 1,015 points, 302 assists, and 518 rebounds.

The Lady Flames capped their exceptional season by winning the Regional Championship, securing their place in the National Tournament in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the first time in program history the Lady Flames participated in the tournament.

Welch College Athletics remains committed to developing leaders who combine academic excellence, Christian character, and athletic achievement. The Lady Flames’ historic season stands as a testament to that mission and to the continued growth of the athletic department.

To learn more about becoming a student athlete at Welch College, email recruit@welch.edu.