Beavers Wrap Up Outdoor Season with Records at Monmouth College

Monmouth, IL – One week after the SLIAC Conference Championships, the Blackburn College Track & Field team closed out their 2025 outdoor campaign at Monmouth College with a strong performance that saw school records fall and new ground broken in multiple events.

Sophomore Sam Burrows delivered a standout performance in the 1500 meters, running a school-record 4:27.87. He doubled back in the 800 meters with a 2:12.66, continuing his strong finish to the season.

In the field events, freshman Byron McNeil capped off an impressive rookie campaign by setting school records in both the long jump and triple jump. His leap of 13.64 meters in the triple jump earned him 2nd place overall, capping a season of consistent progress and highlight performances.

Freshman Scotty Cuff made Blackburn history in the 3000m steeplechase, becoming the first athlete to compete in the event during the SLIAC era. His time of 13:01.26 placed him 2nd overall and marked the program's return to the event for the first time since assistant coach Trent Koplinski last raced it in 1993.

Sophomore Collyn Oberkfell and teammates Christian Miller and Ulises Espinoza took on both the 800 and 1500 meter races. Oberkfell posted 2:14.93 and 4:37.93, Miller finished in 2:33.55 and 5:11.18, and Espinoza ran 2:42.02 and 5:13.93.

In the sprints, freshman Julio Palma represented Blackburn with times of 13.05 in the 100 meters and 26.55 in the 200 meters.

Kobe Patton, closed out his outdoor track and field career with a strong showing in the long jump (5.12m), capping off a journey that began on the soccer field and continued as a key contributor to the Beavers' track program. He will be back to finish his career in the fall cross country season.

On the women's side, sophomore Gracie Jent ran 6:24.51 in the 1500 meters, while freshman Olivia Hamman set the stage by competing in the javelin (28.26m) and added a 17.75m mark in the discus to round out a successful debut season.

The meet at Monmouth wasn't just a final competition, it was a preview of what's to come for Blackburn Track & Field. With school records, first-time events, and a growing foundation of young hard working athletes, the Beavers are ready to build even stronger in the 2026 season.

"We're proud of the way we finished out the year," said Coach Daum. "With most of the team returning next year, the best is still ahead!"