Track & Field Opens Outdoor Season

Decatur, IL – The Blackburn College Track & Field team opened its outdoor season at the Millikin Big Blue Alumni Invite on Saturday, competing through rainy and windy conditions. Despite the conditions, the teams set multiple school records and personal bests

Sophomore Collyn Oberkfell set a new school record and personal best in the 800m, clocking 2:08.81. Sophomore Kobe Patton broke his own school record in the 100m with a time of 12.49 and also made his outdoor long jump debut.

Freshman Byron McNeil set a school record in the triple jump with a mark of 40 feet, 8.25 inches, continuing to excel in the field events. He also led the Beavers in the 200m, finishing in 24.80. Freshman Jaydon Hausman made his Blackburn debut, competing in the 100m, 200m, and long jump, with a best leap of17 feet, 7.5 inches.

Sophomore Christian Miller ran 5:19.63 in the 1500m, leading the Beavers in the event. Junior Marco Nova became the first Blackburn athlete to compete in the shot put in an outdoor meet during the SLIAC era. Freshman Scotty Cuff returned to the XCTF program after competing in wrestling over the winter, making his outdoor debut in the 1500m and 4x400m relay.

The 4x400m relay team of Landan Tribble, Oberkfell, Cuff, and McNeil closed out the meet.

On the women's side, freshman Olivia Hamman set school records in both the shot put and discus. Michaela Moulton and Hamman became the first Blackburn women to compete in the shot put and discus during the SLIAC era, expanding the Beavers' presence in the throwing events. Sophomore Gracie Jent made her track and field debut in the 1500m, marking an important milestone in her running career.

The Beavers will look to build on these performances as they continue their outdoor season.

Blackburn returns to competition at the Illinois College True Blue Invite in Jacksonville, Illinois, on Friday.