EUGENE, Ore. – The fall athletic season recently wrapped up at Bushnell University, and the Beacons have much to celebrate as they showcased their continual commitment to athletic and academic excellence while navigating the many responsibilities of being full-time student-athletes.
The Beacons enjoyed a successful fall season, highlighted by 12 Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Players of the Week and seven All-Conference honorees. A total of 45 fall athletes earned Academic All-Conference honors with a minimum GPA of 3.2 and a sophomore standing or higher, and 33 of those individuals were further recognized as NAIA Scholar-Athletes for maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Women’s Volleyball
Right Side/Middle Blocker Matelynn Ladd with an attack against The Evergreen State College
Right Side Leah Agost celebrates a 3-0 sweep over Multnomah Campus of Jessup University
Outside Hitter Hailey Heider goes up for an attack
The volleyball team continued its tradition of excellence, earning a spot in the CCC Tournament for the sixth straight season and qualifying for the NAIA Tournament for the third time in five years.
- Junior Hailey Heider made an instant impact in her first year with the Beacons, earning First-Team All-Conference honors, three CCC Player of the Week awards, and the NAIA National Player of the Week title after tying Bushnell’s single-match record for kills (27).
- Junior Leah Agost earned Second-Team All-Conference honors, while senior Matelynn Ladd received honorable mention recognition and concluded her career ranked third in program history for blocks.
Men’s Soccer
Forward Danny Rojas takes the ball up the field against The Evergreen State College
Midfielders Ian Palma (left) and Javi Gutierrez (right) celebrate
Forward Caleb Premo celebrates scoring a goal just 1:02 into the match against Pacific Union College
The men’s soccer team made history, recording their first-ever winning season with an 8-7-3 record and matching the school record for wins in a single season.
- The Beacons also tied a school record with a four-game winning streak in the preseason, going 4-0-1.
- Junior Caleb Premo scored the second-fastest goal in school history on September 6 and climbed to second on Bushnell’s all-time scoring list with 15 career goals.
- Sophomore Danny Rojas earned All-Conference honorable mention.
Women’s Soccer
Women's Soccer celebrates a goal against Rocky Mountain College
Defender Lexi Canyete-Asato positions herself to control the ball
Forward Emily Puita takes the ball up the field against Corban University
The women’s soccer team continued its resurgence under second-year head coach Halle Meadows, matching its highest win total since 2016 with five victories.
- Junior Emily Puita led the team with five goals and finished her career ranked third all-time at Bushnell for goals scored (13), earning All-Conference honorable mention.
- Senior Lexis Canyete-Asato was named to the All-CCC Second Team.
Cross Country
Ja White races at Willamette Invitational
Kaitlin Cook and Head Coach Kyle Will at the NAIA National Championship in Columbia, Mo.
Senior Kaitlin Cook celebrates her All-Conference honor alongside the Bushnell Cross Country team at the CCC Championship
Bushnell’s cross country program saw individual success with senior Kaitlin Cook, who earned All-Conference honors and represented the Beacons at the NAIA National Championship.
- Cook posted a career-best time of 22:50 at Nationals, the tenth-fastest time in school history for the 6k distance.
Golf
Women's Golf Team at British Columbia Invitational
Senior Ben Lovrod watches his tee shot at the Bushnell Fall Invitational
Freshman Peyton Wiedenmann teeing off at Bushnell Fall Invitational
The Beacon golf teams competed in five events this fall, with the women’s team achieving one of the best performances in program history.
- The women posted the second-lowest team tournament score in school history at the Bushnell Fall Invitational and earned a runner-up finish at the Tall Timbers Invitational.
- On the men’s side, senior Ben Lovrod and freshman Peyton Wiedenmann each earned CCC Golfer of the Week honors.
Esports
Junior Lauren Cázares in action playing Fortnight
Senior Brett Olmstead and freshman Nathan Farris share a victory celebration with their teammates in Valorant
Freshman Nathan Farris in action
Bushnell Esports continued to expand and thrive, competing in new titles and excelling on the national stage.
- The Beacons made playoff appearances in Valorant and Fortnite while debuting in competitions for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Teamfight Tactics, FC 25, NBA 2K, and Madden.
- Competing in one of the highest divisions of the ECAC, Bushnell showcased its strength in Valorant, Rocket League, and TFT.
Support the Beacons and Stay Connected
Bushnell University encourages fans and supporters to stay updated on all Beacon Athletics by visiting www.bushnellbeacons.com. Prospective student-athletes interested in attending and playing at Bushnell University should fill out a recruiting interest form for the sport they are interested in.
Explore fall season photos of any team at the Beacons photo gallery by visiting www.bushnellbeacons.pixieset.com.