(Leavenworth, Kansas) – Ainsley Duell of the University of Saint Mary has been named the 2025-26 KCAC Female Student-Athlete Champion of Character, the conference office announced Friday. All KCAC Champions of Character Awards are presented by IMA Financial Group.

"I’m honored to be named the KCAC Female Student-Athlete Champion of Character of the year," Duell remarked. "Servant leadership is of the utmost value in my life, and I am grateful for every opportunity I have to serve my teammates, classmates, and community. Through USM swim service projects, mission trips, and everyday service, I have learned that the greatest part of serving is watching others recognize their own potential to lead and serve.  Thank you again for this great honor and go Spires!"

Duell was part of a Saint Mary women's swim/dive squad that finished fifth in a very competitive field at the 2026 KCAC Women's Swimming & Diving Championship. She recorded two top ten finishes at the conference championship, finishing in ninth in the 200 meter breaststroke and as part of a 200 meter medley relay team that finished fourth. She also was honored for her academic prowess, being named a KCAC Scholar-Athlete in her sport. Duell carries a cumulative GPA of 4.00 while majoring in elementary education, with a minor in social work. 

Duell's passion for serving others stood out amongst her peers that were also in consideration for this award. Her list of service projects and mission work includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • A mission trip to Uganda in June 2025 to serve the local community she was in and teach literacy.
  • Volunteered at Camp Barnabas, a camp that serves individuals with disabilities.
  • Volunteered at a local summer bible school event.
  • Being part of the "Wednesday Wave" crew to greet students every week at Lansing Intermediate School.
  • Plan, order, and organize items for Operation Christmas Child.
  • Served at a food kitchen in the Kansas City area.

She also served as the club president for the University of Saint Mary Theology Club and the club president of the University of Saint Mary Aspiring Educators Club, as well as leading the women's swim team bible study.

"Ainsley is incredibly deserving of this recognition because she lives out the values of a Champion of Character every single day," David Bresser, head coach of the Saint Mary men's and women's swimming teams, said. "She is a servant leader who consistently puts others before herself and understands that being a student-athlete is about much more than what happens in the pool. What makes this award especially meaningful is that Ainsley—and our entire program—doesn't serve the community to earn awards or recognition. We serve because it's the right thing to do, and because we have an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of those around us. Ainsley has embraced that philosophy from day one. She leads with humility, compassion, and integrity, and her impact extends far beyond our team. This honor recognizes who she is as a person, and I am extremely proud of the way she represents the University of Saint Mary, our swim program, and our community."

“Ainsley exemplifies everything we hope to see in a Saint Mary student-athlete," Rob Miller, Vice President of Athletics at Saint Mary, commented. "Her commitment to excellence in the pool is matched by her integrity, leadership, respect for others, and dedication to serving her team and community.  We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and grateful for the positive impact she has on those around her.”

The University of Saint Mary is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of Saint Mary main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM-Johnson County, at 11221 Roe Ave., offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit stmary.edu for more information.