Milligan Athletes Finish Strong

Followers of Milligan University athletics had a lot to cheer during the past week.

Graduate student Emily Kearney of Wirral, United Kingdom, was named outstanding performer at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Gulf Shores, Ala. Kearney set meet records in winning the 5,000 meters on Wednesday (her time was 16:09.11), and the 10,000 meters on Friday (34:07:91).

Overall, the Milligan Buffaloes women finished 13^th and the men came in 21^st. In addition to Kearney, All-Americans included Alex Mortimer (marathon), Tim Thacker (800 meters), Bekah Owen and Nathan Baker (5,000 meters).

In golf, all five women carded scores in the 70s—led by Alayna Perryman’s 73—and the 12^th-ranked Buffs finished No. 10 overall in the NAIA Women’s Golf National Championship in Oklahoma City. It was their highest finish in program history.

The women’s softball team dropped both of its games at the NAIA World Series in Columbus, Ga. The Buffs finished the season 32-9 after dropping games to Bethany (2-0 on Thursday) and Ottawa (3-1 on Friday). It marked Milligan’s first-ever appearance in the World Series. Katie Cronin was named to the all-region team; she batted .519 on the season, an all-time record for the Buffs. Head coach Wes Holly and assistant coach Wes Holly Jr. were recognized as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Region I Coaching Staff of the Year.

And on Monday, 11 Milligan University swimmers were announced as All-Americans by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches of America. All-Americans include Gabby MacPherson, Tyler Cates, Maggie Blazo, Kaylee Williams, Hannah Wheatley, Rachel Scheffer, Taylor Bartlett, Stephen Gilbert, Ben Hawkins, Aubin Dulin, and Logan Garzonio. (The NAIA Championship meet was called off due to COVID-19 concerns.)