Lynchburg, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg athletic department is thrilled to reveal the class of 2026 inductees into the Lynchburg Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday, October 15 at 5 p.m. in Turner Gymnasium.

Selected by the Hall of Fame Committee, the Lynchburg Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 features one National-Championship team, two individual National Champions, one renowned staff member, two teams of distinction, and seven esteemed student-athlete alumni.

Introducing, the Lynchburg Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026:

Chaney Forbush '16, Women's Basketball
A key factor in Lynchburg's first ever ODAC Championships and NCAA Tournament appearance, Chaney Forbush ranks top five in program history for numerous career statistical categories. She completed her career ranked third in Lynchburg history with 139 blocks, fourth with 863 rebounds, and fifth with 1,275 points. Forbush made an immediate impact for the Hornets, appearing in all 28 games as a freshman and averaging 8.1 points per game. She enjoyed a breakout sophomore season, ranking second in the ODAC in blocked shots and among the conference's top 10 in rebounding, field-goal percentage, and free-throw percentage while earning Third-Team All-ODAC honors. As a junior, she started all 28 games, led the Hornets with 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, and collected 38 rebounds during the ODAC Tournament—the second-highest tournament total in conference history—to earn Second-Team All-ODAC and ODAC All-Tournament Team recognition. During her senior season, she ranked fifth in the ODAC with 230 rebounds, a 52.7% field-goal percentage, and 428 points, while placing third with 102 made free throws. Her senior honors included First-Team All-ODAC, ODAC All-Tournament Team, D3hoops Third-Team All-South Region, and Second-Team All-State.

Alex Graves '16, Men's Basketball
A hardworking and versatile forward who played both the four and five positions, Alex Graves was a pivotal piece in Lynchburg's attainment of the 2016 ODAC Championship. The only First-Team All-American in program history, Graves appeared in every game during his four seasons at Lynchburg. As a freshman in 2012-13, he averaged 5.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game and was named to the All-Buzz Ridl Tournament Team. He earned Third-Team All-ODAC honors as a sophomore after averaging 12.6 points and 7.1 rebounds, followed by Second-Team All-ODAC recognition as a junior, when he averaged 13.4 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks per game. During his senior season, he led the Hornets to their first ODAC championship since 1979 while averaging 16.2 points and a team-leading eight rebounds per game. He joined the 1,000-point club on December 20, 2015, against LaGrange College and completed his career ranked ninth in program history with 1,322 points and third in total blocks. His 2016 honors included NABC First-Team All-American, D3hoops South Region Player of the Year, D3hoops First-Team All-South Region, ODAC Most Valuable Player, ODAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player, All-State Player of the Year, First-Team All-ODAC, and First-Team All-State.

Lauren Lancaster '06, Softball
Lauren Lancaster distinguished herself as one of Lynchburg softball's most consistently honored players during her collegiate career. She earned All-Region recognition in both 2004 and 2005 and received All-State and All-ODAC honors in three consecutive seasons from 2004 through 2006. Throughout her collegiate career, Lancaster averaged .374 batting, got on base at a .445 percent clip, and tallied 94 RBI, 144 runs, 175 hits, 37 extra-base knocks, 10 home runs, and 42 stolen bases - 20 of which came in her senior season. She was stellar in the outfield, finishing her collegiate career with a .964 percent fielding percentage.Her sustained success year-after-year at the conference, state, and regional levels established a record of achievement worthy of recognition in the Hall of Fame.

Aaron Murphy '16, Men's Lacrosse
A versatile offensive player, Aaron Murphy ranks second in program history in career points with 295. He appeared in every game as a freshman in 2013, recording 13 goals and nine assists while contributing on the second midfield, second attack, and man-up units. In 2014, he set Lynchburg single-season records with 89 points and 40 assists, added 49 goals, and earned First-Team All-ODAC, ODAC All-Tournament Team, Second-Team All-State, and All-America Honorable Mention honors. He surpassed his own single-season marks in 2015 with 97 points and 50 assists, while also scoring 47 goals, collecting a career-high 54 ground balls, and earning USILA Third-Team All-American, First-Team All-State, and First-Team All-ODAC recognition. As a senior in 2016, he started all 21 games and ranked second in the ODAC with 87 points, totaling 56 goals, 31 assists, 10 man-up goals, and 45 ground balls. His final-season honors included USILA Third-Team All-American, First-Team All-South Region, First-Team All-State, First-Team All-ODAC, ODAC All-Tournament Team, and selection to the North-South Senior All-Star Game.

Steve Shockley '85, Track & Field
Steve Shockley distinguished himself as a talented and dedicated sprinter, recording times in the 49-second range in the 400 meters, the 21-second range in the 200 meters, and under 11 seconds in the 100 meters. He competed on both the 4x100- and 4x400-meter relay teams and advanced to the national championships with the 4x400-meter relay during his sophomore year. The track star was a six-time ODAC Champion. His conference crowns consisted of the 1983 400-meter dash, the 1982 and 1983 440-yard/400-meter relay, and the mile/1,600-meter relay in 1982, 1983, and 1985. A multiple-time all-conference honoree, Shockley held at least one facility record and multiple school records when he graduated. His 1982 4x400-meter relay team's time of 3:16.15 ranks as the eighth-best time in program history as of 2026.

Austin Stewart '16, Men's Lacrosse
A decorated four-year attackman, Austin Stewart concluded his collegiate career as the ODAC's all-time leading goal scorer with 262 goals and as his school's career record holder in both goals and points. His historic 2015 season included an NCAA all-divisions record of 109 goals, 19 consecutive hat tricks, USILA First-Team All-America honors, and Player of the Year awards from both the ODAC and the state. That 109-goal season continues to stand as the most goals scored in a single season across all NCAA divisions in men's lacrosse history. After making an immediate impact as a freshman in 2013 with 31 goals, six assists, and Third-Team All-ODAC honors, he led the team with 57 goals in 2014 and earned Second-Team All-State, Third-Team All-ODAC, and ODAC All-Tournament recognition. As a senior in 2016, he recorded 65 goals, 75 points, 10 man-up goals, and 34 ground balls before finishing his career with a hat trick against No. 5 Gettysburg in the NCAA Tournament. His senior accolades included USILA Scholar All-American and Third-Team All-American honors, First-Team All-State, First-Team All-ODAC, Second-Team All-South Region, and selection to the North-South Senior All-Star Game.

Jade Woll '16, Women's Soccer
A significant contributor to the 2014 National Championship squad, Jade Woll wracked up many accolades throughout her time in a Hornets uniform. The speedy forward completed her 87-game career with 86 points, 34 assists, and 26 goals. Woll began her Lynchburg career with two goals and two assists in 10 matches before an injury ended her freshman season. As a sophomore, she played in all 24 matches, started 23, and led the team in assists while earning Third-Team All-ODAC and ODAC All-Tournament Team honors. During her junior season, she recorded 12 goals, six assists, and three game-winning goals and received D3soccer.com Second-Team All-American, First-Team All-South Atlantic Region, First-Team All-State, and First-Team All-ODAC recognition. As a senior, Woll started all 25 games, led the ODAC with 14 assists, and ranked fifth in the conference with 26 points while scoring six goals. Her 2015 honors included NSCAA First-Team All-American, First-Team All-South Atlantic Region, First-Team All-State, First-Team All-ODAC, and ODAC All-Tournament Team. 

Kelley Gunter - Athletics Department
Kelley Gunter began her Lynchburg journey in January of 1982 serving as an administrative assistant, budget manager and operations director in the athletics department. Through her daily leadership and work, she has helped shape the transformational experiences of student athletes and staff for over 44 years. Kelley has served as a guiding voice for five athletics directors and countless numbers of students and coaches. 

Men's Basketball 2016 - Team of Distinction
The 2016 Lynchburg men's basketball team secured its place in program history by earning the ODAC Championship title, the best record in program history, and the first ever victory in the NCAA Tournament. The Hornets claimed the conference crown for the first time since 1979 by defeating Randolph College in an overtime thriller, 62-60. Graves earned Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors, and Arnold and Burnett joined him on the all-tournament team. The Hornets earned an overall record of 22-4, tying the program's single-season wins record, and earned the ODAC's automatic bid to their first NCAA Division III Tournament since 1979. Lynchburg went on to play Scranton in the first round of the national tournament and claimed an emphatic 82-55 triumph before being nipped in the second round. Alex Graves was named a First-Team All-American, All-South Region Player of the Year, All-State Player of the Year, and ODAC Player of the Year. Graves and Zach Burnett were named to the All-ODAC First Team.

Women's Basketball 2016 - Team of Distinction
The 2016 Lynchburg women's basketball team earned its place in program history by claiming the first Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament bid in school history. The Hornets defeated Guilford College, 62-55, to capture the school's first ODAC title. Caroline Naumann was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after averaging 16 points and 14.3 rebounds while shooting 58% from the field, and she joined Chaney Forbush and Sarah Coronel on the ODAC All-Tournament Team. Lynchburg finished the season with a 24-5 record, setting a program record for victories and earning an automatic bid to the first NCAA Tournament in program history. Forbush, Coronel, and Sammi Goldsmith claimed spots on All-ODAC teams. Forbush also earned All-State and All-Region honors. 

2026 NCEA Championship Equestrian Team
The 2026 Lynchburg equestrian team cemented its place in history by winning the 2026 NCEA National Championship, securing its fourth NCEA championship title in program history with all four titles earned within a five-year span. The Hornets earned the victory by defeating Charleston, 6-3. Lynchburg claimed four points in fences, producing a team score of 419.3 behind performances from Madeline Rubin (88), Amaya Bellfield (85.3), Rebecca Collier (83.7), Stella Patenaude (82.3), and Mary Katherine Ragsdale (80). In flat, the Hornets earned two points as Abigail Zemp led the lineup with an 88, followed by Rebecca Collier (81.7), Kristen Palmer (78.7), Abigail Devlin (76.7), and Amaya Bellfield (74.3). Rubin was named the fences Most Outstanding Performer, while Abby Zemp received the honor in flat, highlighting a championship performance defined by consistency throughout the Lynchburg lineup.

Lamont Victoria '26 - 2026 Men's Indoor Track & Field 60-Meter National Championship
Lamont Victoria made University of Lynchburg history at the 2026 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, becoming the program's first national champion in the men's 60-meter dash. Entering the event as the 20th seed among 20 competitors, the senior lowered his personal best from 6.78 to 6.70 in the preliminary round. In the final, Victoria exploded out of the blocks and recorded a time of 6.71, defeating Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Dylan Doss by just one-thousandth of a second. His championship performance helped him contribute 18 points toward Lynchburg's 30-point team total and fifth-place team finish.

Amaya Bellfield '29 - 2026 IHSA Open Fences National Championship
Amaya Bellfield earned a place in Lynchburg equestrian history by capturing the individual national championship in Open Fences at the 2026 IHSA National Championship. She became the first rider in Lynchburg history to claim first at the IHSA National Championship in any class. Her impeccable performance contributed eight points to Lynchburg's team total, helping her squad secure a fourth-place finish for the highest result on the national IHSA stage in program history. Bellfield also delivered a third-place finish in Open Flat, adding seven more points and highlighting her success across both Open divisions.

The group will be formally inducted at the 2026 Homecoming Weekend Lynchburg Athletics Sports Hall of Fame & Dinner on Thursday, October 15 at 5 p.m. in Turner Gymnasium.
Lynchburg inducted its inaugural class into the Sports Hall of Fame in 1979 with a group of 41 members of Lynchburg's storied athletics history. The 2026 class adds another list of qualified members to a prestigious group in Lynchburg sports history.

To view the complete list of the Lynchburg Sports Hall of Fame, click here.

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