Winthrop repeats as national champ in cornhole, the school’s new, unlikely sport
Winthrop University’s groundbreaking cornhole program just collected two more national championships for its trophy case.
Eagles Gavin Hamann and Jaxson Remmick won the doubles title at the Jan. 1-2 American Cornhole League regional event in Myrtle Beach, an event that doubles as college cornhole’s national championship. Eagles Eddie Wenker and Jake Hernandez also made the final four, as did teammates Tyler Harrington and Josh Quinn.
Winthrop also won the team title behind strong play from Hayden Gonzales, Dylan Graham, Sal Sandoval and Mikayla Calvey.
“We dared to dream big and came remarkably close to sweeping the event,” coach Dusty Thompson said in a release from the school, “ultimately taking home the majority of the events.”
The Eagles defended both titles, after winning last season in Winthrop’s first year competing. This year’s championship featured about a dozen colleges.
Cornhole is a fall season competition, where players qualify through regional play for the national championship. Winthrop players qualified at tournaments in Oklahoma and Michigan.
Winthrop made headlines two years ago by signing Hamann and Remmick out of Denver, Colorado, to scholarships to play cornhole. They are thought to be the first Division 1 athletes ever signed with a university to for the sport.
Winthrop recruits players and uses scholarships tied to academics for its cornhole program. Prize winnings from events like the national championship also go toward scholarships for players.
Rock Hill has deep connections in the cornhole community, and is home base for American Cornhole League headquarters.
That partnership brings regional, national and world championships to the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center, which is the home arena for the Eagles team.
This story was originally published January 12, 2026 at 5:08 AM.
