EUGENE, Ore. – This winter, Bushnell University athletes delivered memorable performances across multiple sports. From key victories on the court to strong showings on the track, the Beacons continued to showcase their talents both in competition and in the classroom.
The winter season was highlighted by five Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Players of the Week, three All-Conference honorees, and 11 Academic All-Conference and NAIA Scholar-Athletes who are recognized for maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Men’s Basketball
Cory Johnson
Squeeky Johnson
Kaleb Burnett
On the court, the Beacons secured a spot in the CCC Tournament for the third consecutive season, continuing their postseason streak. One of the team’s most notable victories came on January 10, when they upset #15-ranked Lewis-Clark State, 89-78.
Junior Cory Johnson had a standout season, earning First-Team All-Conference honors. He finished third in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) in scoring, averaging 16.9 points per game. Johnson showcased his scoring ability with ten 20-point performances, including the top individual game in the CCC all season when he dropped 36 points against Northwest on February 16.
The only player to start every game for the Beacons this season, junior Squeeky Johnson earned an All-Conference honorable mention. He averaged 11.6 points per game and ranked second in the CCC with 66 three-pointers. Johnson had a pair of explosive 30-point games, lighting up Corban on December 30 and Multnomah on January 25. He also demonstrated his deep-range shooting ability, recording four games with at least five three-pointers.
Kaleb Burnett was named the CCC Freshman of the Year, after averaging 12 points per game and shooting 54.8% from the field. The redshirt freshman had two games with at least 25 points, scoring a season-high 26 against Warner Pacific on January 24. On February 15, Burnett went 10-for-10 at the free-throw line, part of a stretch of 23 consecutive free throws to end the season.
Women’s Basketball
Libby Mathis
Head Coach Chad Meadors addressing team during timeout
A group of Beacons celebrate during a home contest
The women’s basketball team also earned a spot in the CCC Tournament for the fourth straight season, extending their playoff consistency.
Head Coach Chad Meadors reached a milestone in November, becoming the first Bushnell women’s basketball coach to earn 100 career victories.
Senior Libby Mathis earned First-Team All-Conference honors, capping an outstanding career at Bushnell. Mathis finished off a career that included six Bushnell career records: Offensive Rebounds (355), Defensive Rebounds (631), Total Rebounds (986), Blocks (172), Double-Doubles (29), and Field Goal Percentage (.520). She is the only Bushnell player ever to shoot over 50% from the field with at least 300 field-goal attempts. She will also go down as the third-highest scorer in school history with 1330 points.
Indoor Track & Field
Kaleo Wellman
Women's Indoor Track and Field at University of Portland
Cyan Kelso-Reynolds
Bushnell’s indoor track & field program also made history this winter. Sophomores Jermaine Schexnayder (Triple Jump) and Kaleo Wellman (Long Jump) both qualified for the NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships, showcasing the Beacons’ growing strength in the sport.
Wellman’s performance at the championships was particularly remarkable. Despite being seeded 16th going into the event, he finished as the NAIA National Runner-Up in the Long Jump, setting a new school record with a leap of 7.38 meters, breaking his own school record not once, not twice, but three times on his way to his second-place finish. Wellman’s performance earned him NAIA All-American honors, making him the first Beacon to achieve this distinction in Indoor Track & Field.
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 winter season photos of any team at the Beacons photo gallery by visiting www.bushnellbeacons.pixieset.com.