A two sport Newton girls coach has received special recognition from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Rachelle Tipton, head coach of the Cardinals girls cross country and track and field teams, was presented with the 2025 Jay and Annette Cookman Heart of a Coach Award at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes state banquet Sunday night. Fellowship of Christian Athletes Representative Dave Applegate says the award is given annually to a coach who exemplifies the truest spirit. Applegate added coaches are some of the most influential people in our society today, influencing more people in one year than most will do in a lifetime. 

The award presented to Tipton is named after a couple that devoted over 30 years to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Jay and Annette Cookman started FCA Huddles at Johnston and Valley High Schools, helped at FCA Summer Camps in Colorado and Minnesota, and were recognized with the Heroes of Fellowship of Christian Athletes Award in 2018.