(Prepared by MIAA Publicity Office)
Calvin University cross country and track & field standout Sophie Bull has been selected as the 2025-26 Region VII Women's Student-Athlete of the Year by the Division III Commissioners Association (D3CA).
The award recognizes student-athletes who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in academics, athletics, leadership, and service throughout their collegiate career. Bull was selected from a strong field of student-athletes representing Division III institutions throughout Region VII.
A native of Denver, Colorado, Bull graduated from Calvin in May 2026 with a 3.98 grade-point average while majoring in Kinesiology with a pre-physician assistant concentration. She graduated summa cum laude, earned Dean's List recognition, and was honored as a College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District and Academic All-America selection.
Bull's athletic accomplishments place her among the nation's elite distance runners. In cross country, she was a three-time First Team All-MIAA selection from 2023-25 and a two-time First Team All-American in 2024 and 2025. She was also a two-time All-Region honoree and was named the 2025 Great Lakes Regional Athlete of the Year. Bull placed fifth individually at the 2025 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships after finishing 28th in 2024.
Her success continued on the track. During the 2026 indoor season, Bull captured the NCAA Division III national championship in the 3,000m run, earned First Team All-MIAA honors, and was named All-Region. She also earned Second Team All-America honors in the 5,000m run in 2025 and won MIAA championships in both the 3,000m and 5,000m.
Outdoors, Bull was a three-time First Team All-MIAA and First Team All-American honoree from 2024-26. She won consecutive NCAA Division III national championships in the steeplechase in 2025 and 2026 after placing fifth nationally in the event in 2024. She was also named the 2025 Great Lakes Regional Athlete of the Year and helped Calvin to a fourth-place team finish at the 2026 NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships.
Bull's accomplishments in the classroom and on the track have been complemented by a strong commitment to leadership. She served as Calvin's cross country team captain from Fall 2024 through Spring 2026, meeting regularly with coaches, organizing team events, and helping resolve team conflicts. She also represented Calvin on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee during the 2025-26 academic year and served on the Track Leadership Council in 2025. During the 2024-25 academic year, she was a Bible study leader, facilitating weekly discussions and encouraging meaningful conversation among her peers.
Her commitment to service extended well beyond campus. Bull volunteered with the GlamourGals Foundation, visiting retirement homes to connect with seniors, and with Special Olympics, where she worked with a basketball team. She also volunteered with CranHill Ranch, Hope Fellowship CRC, and What's Your Everest, assisting disabled veterans through the No Barriers organization.
Bull's experiences outside the classroom also aligned closely with her career aspirations. She worked as a medical assistant during 2024-25, gaining hands-on experience with patients through taking vital signs, drawing blood, performing tests, and assisting with other clinical responsibilities. She previously served as a patient service specialist at a physical therapy clinic, gaining experience with insurance, administrative work, paperwork, and patient communication.
Bull's selection as the Region VII Women's Student-Athlete of the Year adds another significant honor to an already remarkable senior season. She was also named the 2025-26 MIAA Sheila Wallace Kovalchik Scholar-Athlete of the Year in a Women's Sport, becoming the 12th Calvin student-athlete to receive the prestigious award. The Kovalchik Award recognizes a graduating senior who has excelled academically and athletically while demonstrating outstanding leadership in their campus and wider communities.
With a combination of national athletic championships, exceptional academic achievement, meaningful leadership, and extensive service, Bull exemplifies the Division III student-athlete experience and represents Calvin and the MIAA at the highest level.
