FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The USA South Athletic Conference today announced its Hall of Fame Class of 2026 including Christopher Newport softball legend Jill Owens. 

Jill Owens Edwards cemented her place among Christopher Newport's all-time greats with a dominant softball career from 1995-1999. Inducted into the CNU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004, Owens name litters the Christopher Newport softball record book to this day, over a quarter of a century after her career ended. In the circle, she is the all-time leader in career appearances (104), complete games (80), innings pitched (590.0), and wins (68).

In the over four decades of CNU softball, the Captains have featured over 360 players and Owens stands as one of the all-time leaders defensively as well. With a .992 career fielding percentage over 242 chances, she is the top defensive pitcher CNU has ever had. Her career fielding percentage would rank third all-time among qualified players with at least 300 chances but her role as a pitcher limited her opportunities in the field. Still, she played a part in 25 career double plays, ranking fifth all-time and second at the time of her graduation. 

In addition to her pitching and defense, Owens also ranks among the top ten hitters in program history with a .399 average that ranks ninth all-time. Her 174 career hits were among the program's top marks at the conclusion of her career and her 1998 senior season included the third most hits in a season, with 65, to that point in CNU history. Of those 65 base knocks, Owens ripped 15 doubles for the second most doubles in a single campaign that still holds as a top-ten mark in the record books. 

While she set herself apart statistically, Owens was recognized for her achievements at every possible level. At the highest level, Owens became the second All-American in program history after her 1998 campaign, earning third team honors from the NFCA. She was a three-time NFCA All-Region selection -- twice as a second team pitcher and once as a first team utility player. A two-time Conference Player of the Year in the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, now known as the USA South Athletic Conference, Edwards was the first of two CNU players to earn NCAA Regional All-Tournament team recognition. 

She was a four-time first team All-Conference member as a pitcher and added a fifth certificate as a second team selection at first base. Her resume also includes five Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) All-State awards, highlighted by being named the 1998 State Player of the Year. 

In addition to setting the standard at Christopher Newport, she graduated as the conference careere record holder in wins (68) and ERA (1.63) and is the only pitcher in league history to throw back-to-back no-hitters. 

The Class of 2026 also includes Holly Hite Tsolis, a four-year star of the Meredith College women's lacrosse program, and Logan McKenzie, the first ever inductee from Berea College after a standout cross country/track & field career. These individuals, along with the yet-to-be determined 2027 USA South Hall of Fame Class, will be officially celebrated during a ceremony which is expected to take place during the summer of 2027.


USA South Athletic Conference Hall of Fame – CNU Inductees
Class of 2026 - Jill (Owens) Edwards, Softball
Class of 2025 – Aimee Gibbs, Women's Cross Country & Steve Shaw, Men's Soccer
Class of 2024 – Misty (Hart) Williams, Women's Basketball
Class of 2023 – Gerard Mosley, Men's Soccer
Class of 2021 – Kenny Moreland, Baseball & Matt Turner, Baseball
Class of 2020 – Rob Rodriguez, Football; Scott Scovil, Men's Golf; and, Antoine Sinclair, Men's Basketball
Class of 2019 – Matt Kelchner, Football & Eric Shulman, Men's Tennis
Class of 2018 – Lindsey (Sheppard) Birch, Volleyball & Abby Hogge, Volleyball
Class of 2017 – Chelsie Schweers, Women's Basketball
Class of 2016 – Steve Artis, Men's Basketball
Class of 2013 – Bev Vaughan, Men's Basketball/Administration
Class of 2012 – CJ Woollum, Men's Basketball/Men's Golf/Administration
Class of 2011 – Wayne Block, Administration
Class of 2010 – Karen Barefoot, Women's Basketball & Lamont Strothers, Men's Basketball