EUGENE, Ore. – Bushnell University’s spring athletic season concluded recently, marking the completion of the 2025-26 athletic calendar year. Beacon athletes made their presence known, setting new records, exemplifying character, and earning championships in the process.
The season was marked by 11 Cascade Collegiate Conference Players of the Week, 12 All-Conference selections, and an impressive 75 student-athletes earning Academic All-Conference honors. Additionally, 65 Beacons were named NAIA Scholar-Athletes, 31 earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District recognition, and Bushnell’s Athletic Director Corey Anderson was honored as the Cascade Conference Athletic Director of the Year.
Outdoor Track and Field
The outdoor track & field teams continued their upward trajectory this spring, with the men’s team tying for its highest-ever finish at the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championships, placing sixth with 66 points, the program’s highest total in eight years. The women’s team also enjoyed a strong championship performance, finishing eighth while recording its highest point total in seven years.
Several Beacons delivered standout performances throughout the season. Junior Kaleo Wellman, junior Jermaine Schexnayder, and senior Ty Kishen each qualified for and competed at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in Asheville, North Carolina. Taylor Jackson captured the CCC men’s high jump championship, while Wellman and Kishen also earned All-CCC honors. On the women’s side, freshman Viktoriia Gabrio earned All-Conference recognition with a third-place finish in the triple jump, and the women’s 4×400-meter relay team also secured All-Conference honors with a third-place finish.
The season was highlighted by numerous record-breaking performances, with four men’s school records and eight women’s school records falling. Among the most notable were Brett Olmstead’s new pole vault mark and Hudson Gerlits’ school record in the 110-meter hurdles, breaking records that had stood for seven and nine years respectively. Cyan Kelso-Reynolds also set a new school record in the women’s 100 meters, surpassing a mark that had stood for seven years.
The program also received significant recognition off the track. Brett Olmstead was named the recipient of the Bushnell Athletics Impact Award, while Ty Kishen earned Male Champion of Character honors and was selected as the recipient of the CCC Cashell Family Impact Scholarship.
Softball
The Bushnell softball team closed the season with several memorable moments, including an upset victory over The College of Idaho, a team receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches Poll. During Senior Weekend, Gracie Hamilton delivered one of the season’s signature highlights, hitting a walk-off three-run home run to secure a 13-11 victory for the Beacons.
Sophomore Riley Peeler put together one of the best offensive seasons in program history, batting .418—the third-highest single-season average in school history. Her standout performance earned Second-Team All-Cascade Collegiate Conference honors and established her among the conference’s top hitters.
Baseball
The Bushnell baseball team earned a return trip to the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament, qualifying as the No. 4 seed. The Beacons also recorded three wins during the season against Lewis-Clark State College, an NAIA World Series qualifier.
Several Beacons earned individual recognition for their performances. Albert Jennings and Nate Stevens were named First-Team All-Cascade Collegiate Conference, while Caleb Richter received a CCC Gold Glove Award. The pitching staff also produced three CCC Pitcher of the Week honorees during the season. After the season, Stevens was also named a CSC Academic All-America, becoming the first Bushnell baseball player to earn the award.
The program was also recognized at the annual Iggy Awards, where Albert Jennings was named Athlete of the Year, Kai Keamo received the Bushnell Legacy Award, and Blake Stavros was named the recipient of the Impact Award.
Esports
Bushnell Esports continued to expand its competitive presence this year, with Andrew Bennett (FC 24) and Caden Hoerauf (College Football) earning postseason appearances in their respective titles. Bennett made program history by securing Bushnell’s first-ever playoff victory in a sports title, defeating perennial powerhouse St. Clair College in the opening round of the FC 24 playoffs.
The Fortnite duo of Nick McGowen and Nathan Farris also enjoyed a strong season, earning an automatic qualification to the Zero Build Fortnite Finals following a 19th-place finish during the regular season.
The program also marked an important milestone with the official launch of its iRacing team, further expanding competitive opportunities for student-athletes and continuing the growth of Bushnell Esports.
Golf
The Bushnell men’s golf team continued its rise within the Cascade Collegiate Conference, finishing fourth in the final conference standings. Junior Matt Forsyth led the way, earning First-Team All-Conference honors after a runner-up finish at the CCC Championship. Forsyth was also recognized twice during the season as the CCC Golfer of the Week.
The women’s golf team placed sixth in the CCC and enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in program history. The Beacons established new school records for the lowest single round (319), best two-round tournament score (659), and best three-round tournament score (995). The team also recorded a program-best scoring average of 339.8, improving the previous record by nearly nine strokes.
Off the course, Jada Richwine was honored with Bushnell’s Female Champion of Character Award, recognizing her leadership, integrity, and commitment to the values of Beacon Athletics.
Beach Volleyball
The Bushnell beach volleyball team enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in program history, tying for third place in the Cascade Collegiate Conference and earning a berth in the CCC Tournament. The Beacons also recorded two victories over nationally ranked College of Idaho, which finished the season among the NAIA’s top ten teams. Bushnell capped off the year ranked No. 9 in the final NAIA National Coaches Poll.
Seniors Laci Jespersen and Sydney Myhre led the Beacons with 14 wins as a pair and earned First-Team All-Cascade Collegiate Conference honors for their outstanding performances throughout the season.
The program also received recognition at the annual Iggy Awards, with Jespersen earning the Bushnell Legacy Award and Hannah Brunston being named the recipient of the Bushnell Athletics Impact Award.
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 spring season photos of any team at the Beacons photo gallery by visiting www.bushnellbeacons.pixieset.com.