Millikin University

Millikin Students in the College of Professional Studies were honored with the following awards at the 2022 Honors Convocation.

Millikin Students in the College of Fine Arts were honored with the following awards at the 2022 Honors Convocation. Music Pi Kappa Lambda Outstanding Senior Award: Max DiPasquale Presser Award: Stefani Graff Alice Herren Ayars Award: Madeline Woodcock Mary B. Merris Award: Cecilia Antonelle, Kathryn Nobbe Winifred St. Clair Minturn Award: Hannah Markun Thomas A. Johnson Memorial Award: Trevor Schaefer Dr. Russell Tiede Honors Award: Hannah Markun Percussion Achievement Award: Hayden Marshall Dr. Maria Klott Memorial Award: Kevin Kuska Handler Award for Excellence, Bachelor of Arts in Music: Hannah Warfel Theatre & Dance Joan & Melvin Grabowski Memorial Award: Stark Winter Dr. L.C. McNabb Memorial Award: Steven Klenk, Kat Macri, Joel Ochoa Michelle Chartier Memorial Award: Madeline Curtin, Gillian Genardo Kathryn Paige Torp Memorial Award: Jeremy Banzon, Nick Dunk Ron Smith Award In Musical Theatre: Emily Bacino Althaus, Kelsey Crotz, Amanda Handegan, Justin Nelson J. Ben Wand Prize: Taylor-Ekart Brooks, Brigid Buckley, Julia Budd, Jamie Gamonez Andrew Strand Memorial Theatre Ensemble Award: Micky mCNaughton, Andrew Tufano, Brigham Williams Art Marvin Klaven Art Award: Taylor Linville, Lindsey Thompson David S. Monroe Art Award: Maggie Strubhar, Syd Wilson Dorothy Sellers Art Award: Skylyr Chloe, Lacet Edwards, Rosina Fascetti, Jack Harmon, Jupiter Holcomb, Julia Lakin, Emma McManus, Erica Pamson, Courtney Schudel

Millikin Students in the College of Arts & Sciences were honored with the following awards at the 2022 Honors Convocation. Behavioral Sciences

Ben Kuxmann won the 800 meters in the Meet of Champions with the fourth fastest time in the NCAA Divison III. Aly Armstrong allowed just two hits in a 8-0 win over Caroll with 8 strikeouts.

Millikin University's student-run newspaper, the Decaturian, garnered several awards at the annual Illinois College Press Association (ICPA) conference, held March 18-20 in Chicago. The Decaturian took home 17 awards in the under 4,000 circulation category at the ICPA conference, surpassing the Dec's 15 ICPA awards in 2021. As an entire staff, The Decaturian won third place in General Excellence and third in the Sweepstakes category for points earned across all contest categories. Jeana Pierson, a senior English writing major with a criminal justice minor, and editor-in-chief of the Decaturian, earned first place honors for Headline Writing. Sydney Sinks, a senior English writing major, reporter and editor for the Decaturian, earned two first-place awards for her in-depth reporting and a second-place honor for her editorial work. Carin Houser, a sophomore secondary English education major, writer and editor for the Decaturian, won three ICPA awards. Houser earned first place for her Spot News Photo of a firetruck; she was a member of a team that received third place for multimedia reporting, and she won second place for Sports Page Design. Below is the complete list of the Decaturian's Illinois College Press Association award recipients: 1st Place Charlize Pate, Feature Photo (Clock Tower) Jeana Pierson, Headline Writing Sydney Sinks, In-Depth Reporting Sydney Sinks, News Story Mason Hoyt, Column (Music) Carin Houser, Spot Photo (Firetruck) 2nd Place Sports Page Design (Carin Houser) Editorial (Sydney Sinks) 3rd Place Online News Site (All Staff) Multimedia Reporting (Athena Pajer, Carin Houser and Cole Anderson) Sports Column (Brandt Williamson) Sports Game Story (Caleb Buehrle) News Story (Athena Pajer) Honorable Mention Front Page Layout (All Staff) Feature Page Design (All Staff)

Two Millikin men's golfers finished in the top five at the CCIW Preview on April 13 at the Brown Deer Park Golf Course in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The course will be the site of the upcoming 2022 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Men's Golf Championships. Millikin's Brandon Rowe finished tied for first with Austin Young at even par 71. Tyler Reitz tied for fifth with Alex Lilly of Carthage at two over 73. Millikin finished in fourth place in the team standings with a score of 310. Carthage was the winner at 295.

Three Millikin University wrestlers were named 2022 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division III Scholar All-Americans on April 8. The wrestlers were recognized for their excellence on the mat and in the classroom. To qualify, wrestlers needed a 3.2 grade point average and to be a national level competitor. Millikin wrestlers earning the NWCA Scholar All-American honors include: Senior Bradan Birt (Epworth, Iowa, Western Dubuque H.S.), a sports management major Senior Jordan Carson (St. Louis, Mo., Triton College), a business management major Junior Peter McCusker (Rantoul, H.S.), a computer science major Birt was the NCAA Division III National Champion at 165 pounds and earned the NCAA Champions Most Outstanding Wrestler Award. Birt won the NCAA Most Dominant Wrestler rankings and won his fifth straight College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). Birt was 42-0 on the season and ended his career with an 80 match winning streak. On April 8, Birt was named the D3wrestle.com Wrestler of the Year. Carson had a 22-16 record finishing in third place at the CCIW Championships and seventh at the NCAA Lower Midwest Regionals competing at 149 pounds. McCusker was 26-11 overall winning his second CCIW Championship at 157 pounds. He finished in fifth place at the NCAA Regionals.

Caleb Buehrle and Camryn Skundberg are your Big Blue Athletes of the Week for April 18th! Buerhle picked up a win v. Carroll and a save v. Augie within 24 hours to help MU to a 2-1 weekend. Skundberg went 3-for-3 in game 1 v. NPU with a homerun, double, and 3 RBI.

As if Bradan Birt's list of achievements isn't long enough already, let's add another! The 2021-22 NCAA Division III 165 pound National Champion has been named D3wrestle.com's Wrestler of the Year!

Tanner Coleman and Lanie Chizmark are your Big Blue Athletes of the Week! Coleman picked up a win v. North Park and tallied a double, homerun, and 5 RBI on the week Chizmark hit a walk-off two-run homerun v. Elmhurst to help complete the sweep of the Bluejays

Jensen Mast has been named Big Blue men's volleyball's RESPECT Award winner by the CCIW. RESPECT Award recipients have distinguished themselves as an integral member of the team, their institution and community by upholding the values of Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Service, Pride, Excellence, Collaboration and Trust. The RESPECT Award recognizes the intangible traits a student-athlete possesses that exemplify great character and encourages inclusiveness and a positive culture.

Millikin's Addison Sargent wwas selected as the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Softball Student-Athlete of the Week on April 5th. Sargent, a junior pitcher from Mt. Vernon, Illinois and Mt. Vernon High School, pitched the Big Blue to a 3-0 shutout of Wheaton on April 2. She pitched all seven innings and gave up just two hits and struck out six batters to complete the double-header sweep of the Thunder in the CCIW opener for Millikin.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- Millikin's Jake Shumaker was selected as the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men's Outdoor Track & Field Student-Athlete of the Week on April 5th. Shumaker, a sophomore from Decatur, Illinois and Mt. Zion High School, won the 800-meter run at the Big Blue's Alumni Invitational on April 2nd. His time of 1:53.88 ranks first in the CCIW and 17th on the NCAA Division III national list. Shumaker was also part of the winning 4x400-meter relay (3:31.44).

Kristian Boado and Kendallyn Davison are your Big Blue Athletes of the Week! Boado won the discus at the Big Blue Alumni Meet and placed second in hammer. Davison went 5-for-8 from the plate v. Wheaton hitting a double, a triple, and a homerun.

DECATUR, Ill.-Millikin University, in conjunction with the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), announces the CCIW Dave Wrath Academic All-Conference team for winter season of 2021-22. Each season the CCIW selects an Academic All-Conference Team. To be recognized, the student-athlete must be enrolled as a full-time student; completed two semesters of study at Millikin; must participate in a varsity sport during the 2021-22 winter season; and must carry at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average. The list below is the team members from Millikin for the winter 2021-22 season. 2021-22 Winter Sports CCIW Dave Wrath Academic All-Conference Men's Basketball Player Year Major Hometown\High School Joe Beardsley So. Accounting Oakville, Mo.\Oakville Calvin Fisher Sr. Business Monticello\Monticello Jake Hampton Sr. Physical Education O'Fallon, Mo.\Fort Zumwalt West Jarius Ingram Jr. Biology (Pre-Med) Decatur\Warrensburg Latham Dawson Jones Sr. Sports Management Mackinaw\Deer Creek Mackinaw Brian Lamar So. Exercise Science Saint Johnsbury, Vermont\Saint Johnsbury Academy Cole Laurence Jr. Elementary Education Farmington, Mo.\Farmington Mitch Pollock So. Sport & Rec. Management Newman\Shiloh Women's Basketball Player Year Major Hometown\High School Jacquelin Anderson So. English (Sec. Teaching) Glen Carbon\Edwardsville Jazmin Brown Sr. Biology Indianapolis, Ind.\Lawrence North Bailey Coffman Jr. Business Heyworth\Bloomington Central Catholic Sophie Darden So. Exercise Science Channahon\Minooka *Miranda Fox Jr. Communication Altamont\Effingham Elyce Knudsen So. Accounting Philo\Tolono Unity Chelsea McCullum Jr. Digital Media Marketing Oswego\Oswego East Sarah Ness Jr. Health Promotion Sandwich\Sandwich Abby Ratsch Jr. Accounting Springfield\Springfield Aubrey Staton Sr. Entrepreneurship El Paso\El Paso Gridley Gabbi Thomason So. Sport & Rec. Management Cottleville, Mo.\Francis Howell Central Swimming Player Year Major Hometown\High School Laura Atkinson Jr. Entrepreneurship Malaysia\International College Subang Shay Buchanan So. Computer Science Orlando, Fla.\Trinity Prep Kathryn Cully Sr. Elementary Education Marion\Crab Orchard Julia Druml So. Nursing McHenry\McHenry West Brigid Duesterhaus Sr. Communication Decatur\MacArthur Avery Fisher Sr. Nursing Phoenix, Ariz.\Desert Vista Olivia Marquardt Sr. Biology (Pre-Med) Vandalia\Vandalia Hope Roderick Sr. Early Childhood Therapy Glen Carbon\Edwardsville Sawyer Wolter Sr. Acting Chandler, Ariz.\Chandler Kaitlin Yelaska Jr. Human Services Bremen, Ind.\Bremen Indoor Track Player Year Major Hometown\High School Katie Abell Jr. Biology Jacksonville\Routt Kristian Boado Jr. Nursing Algonquin\Dundee Crown Quincy Collings So. Nursing Mattoon\Mattoon Avery Damron So. Criminal Justice Santa Rosa, Calif.\Maria Carrillo Nick Fornoff So. Chemistry Pekin\Pekin Kayla Green So. Criminal Justice Berwyn\J.S. Morton West Garrett Jones Sr. Chemistry Mattoon\Mattoon Ben Kuxmann Sr. English (Sec. Teaching) Bourbonnais\Bradley Bourbonnais Anne Longman Sr. Arts Technology Park Ridge\Maine South Josh Martinez So. Cybersecurity Chicago\St. Laurence Madalyne McPheeters So. Human Services Sullivan\Okaw Valley MacKenzie Moyer Jr. Nursing Carlinville\Carlinville Bradyn Olmstead So. Computer Science Bloomington\Bloomington Jessel Prabhu So. Biology (Pre-PT) Saint Ann, Mo.\Pattonville Eryn Renison Sr. Nursing Channahon\Minooka Alyssa Ruiz So. Biology (Pre-Med) San Diego, Calif.\Junipero Serra Aidan Schlichting So. Biology Freeburg\Freeburg Julia Seaman Jr. Early Childhood Ed. Marshall\Martinsville Jake Shumaker So. Computer Science Decatur\Mt. Zion Whitney Smith Sr. Sport & Rec. Management Stewardson\Stewardson Strasburg Brandt Williamson Sr. Physical Education Westville\Westville Hailey Wimberly Sr. Biology Salem\Salem Wrestling Player Year Major Hometown\High School *Bradan Birt Sr. Sports Management Epworth, Iowa\Western Dubuque Jordan Carson Sr. Business Management St. Louis, Mo.\Triton College Peter McCusker Jr. Computer Science Rantoul\Rantoul *=Jack Swartz Award winner

DECATUR, Ill.-Millikin University, in conjunction with the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), announces its Jack Swartz Award Recipient and the CCIW Dave Wrath Academic All-Conference team for winter season of 2021-22. Junior women's basketball player Miranda Fox (Altamont, Effingham H.S.) and senior wrestler Bradan Birt (Epworth, Iowa, Western Dubuque H.S.) were selected as recipients of the Jack Swartz Award. To be considered as a Swartz Award winner, student-athletes must carry at least a 3.50 grade point average and participated in a varsity sport. Fox was the CCIW Elite 25 winner for women's basketball earning recognition for having the highest grade point average on the top team in the CCIW Final. Birt was the NCAA Division III National Champion at 165 pounds while continuing to excel in the classroom. Each season the CCIW selects an Academic All-Conference Team. To be recognized, the student-athlete must be enrolled as a full-time student; completed two semesters of study at Millikin; must participate in a varsity sport during the 2021-22 winter season; and must carry at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average. The list below is the team members from Millikin for the winter 2021-22 season. 2021-22 Winter Sports CCIW Dave Wrath Academic All-Conference Men's Basketball Player Year Major Hometown\High School Joe Beardsley So. Accounting Oakville, Mo.\Oakville Calvin Fisher Sr. Business Monticello\Monticello Jake Hampton Sr. Physical Education O'Fallon, Mo.\Fort Zumwalt West Jarius Ingram Jr. Biology (Pre-Med) Decatur\Warrensburg Latham Dawson Jones Sr. Sports Management Mackinaw\Deer Creek Mackinaw Brian Lamar So. Exercise Science Saint Johnsbury, Vermont\Saint Johnsbury Academy Cole Laurence Jr. Elementary Education Farmington, Mo.\Farmington Mitch Pollock So. Sport & Rec. Management Newman\Shiloh Women's Basketball Player Year Major Hometown\High School Jacquelin Anderson So. English (Sec. Teaching) Glen Carbon\Edwardsville Jazmin Brown Sr. Biology Indianapolis, Ind.\Lawrence North Bailey Coffman Jr. Business Heyworth\Bloomington Central Catholic Sophie Darden So. Exercise Science Channahon\Minooka *Miranda Fox Jr. Communication Altamont\Effingham Elyce Knudsen So. Accounting Philo\Tolono Unity Chelsea McCullum Jr. Digital Media Marketing Oswego\Oswego East Sarah Ness Jr. Health Promotion Sandwich\Sandwich Abby Ratsch Jr. Accounting Springfield\Springfield Aubrey Staton Sr. Entrepreneurship El Paso\El Paso Gridley Gabbi Thomason So. Sport & Rec. Management Cottleville, Mo.\Francis Howell Central Swimming Player Year Major Hometown\High School Laura Atkinson Jr. Entrepreneurship Malaysia\International College Subang Shay Buchanan So. Computer Science Orlando, Fla.\Trinity Prep Kathryn Cully Sr. Elementary Education Marion\Crab Orchard Julia Druml So. Nursing McHenry\McHenry West Brigid Duesterhaus Sr. Communication Decatur\MacArthur Avery Fisher Sr. Nursing Phoenix, Ariz.\Desert Vista Olivia Marquardt Sr. Biology (Pre-Med) Vandalia\Vandalia Hope Roderick Sr. Early Childhood Therapy Glen Carbon\Edwardsville Sawyer Wolter Sr. Acting Chandler, Ariz.\Chandler Kaitlin Yelaska Jr. Human Services Bremen, Ind.\Bremen Indoor Track Player Year Major Hometown\High School Katie Abell Jr. Biology Jacksonville\Routt Kristian Boado Jr. Nursing Algonquin\Dundee Crown Quincy Collings So. Nursing Mattoon\Mattoon Avery Damron So. Criminal Justice Santa Rosa, Calif.\Maria Carrillo Nick Fornoff So. Chemistry Pekin\Pekin Kayla Green So. Criminal Justice Berwyn\J.S. Morton West Garrett Jones Sr. Chemistry Mattoon\Mattoon Ben Kuxmann Sr. English (Sec. Teaching) Bourbonnais\Bradley Bourbonnais Anne Longman Sr. Arts Technology Park Ridge\Maine South Josh Martinez So. Cybersecurity Chicago\St. Laurence Madalyne McPheeters So. Human Services Sullivan\Okaw Valley MacKenzie Moyer Jr. Nursing Carlinville\Carlinville Bradyn Olmstead So. Computer Science Bloomington\Bloomington Jessel Prabhu So. Biology (Pre-PT) Saint Ann, Mo.\Pattonville Eryn Renison Sr. Nursing Channahon\Minooka Alyssa Ruiz So. Biology (Pre-Med) San Diego, Calif.\Junipero Serra Aidan Schlichting So. Biology Freeburg\Freeburg Julia Seaman Jr. Early Childhood Ed. Marshall\Martinsville Jake Shumaker So. Computer Science Decatur\Mt. Zion Whitney Smith Sr. Sport & Rec. Management Stewardson\Stewardson Strasburg Brandt Williamson Sr. Physical Education Westville\Westville Hailey Wimberly Sr. Biology Salem\Salem Wrestling Player Year Major Hometown\High School *Bradan Birt Sr. Sports Management Epworth, Iowa\Western Dubuque Jordan Carson Sr. Business Management St. Louis, Mo.\Triton College Peter McCusker Jr. Computer Science Rantoul\Rantoul * = Jack Swartz Award winner

Millikin University student attorneys were recognized for their work at the 2022 Model Illinois Government (MIG) Moot Court Competition held March 3-6 at the Wyndham Springfield City Centre in downtown Springfield, Ill. The MIG Moot Court competition simulates arguments at the Illinois Supreme Court level. During the competition, teams of attorneys argue their case before a panel of student justices and legal professionals. This year, five Millikin student attorneys participated in the annual Moot Court Competition. Gillian Beginski, a senior double majoring in philosophy (pre-law track) and political science from Mundelein, Ill., participated on a hybrid team where she was paired with a student from Eastern Illinois University. Beginski's team advanced to the semifinal round of the competition. The team of Collin Budd, a senior majoring in philosophy (pre-law track) from Arcola, Ill., and Olivia Swords, a first-year student from Decatur, Ill., double majoring in philosophy (pre-law track) and English writing, and pursuing a French minor, also advanced to the semifinal round. The team of Hannah Prochnow, a junior double majoring in philosophy (pre-law track) and environmental studies from Bloomington, Ill., and Isabella Voss, a junior majoring in management information systems and pursuing a philosophy pre-law minor from Lockport, Ill., advanced to the final round and took second place overall. In addition to the outstanding team performances, Collin Budd was honored with the individual award for Most Outstanding Attorney. Budd was also elected to serve as Chief Justice for the 2022-23 year. In this capacity, he will provide organizational leadership for the 2023 competition.

Millikin senior wrestler Bradan Birt (Epworth, Iowa, Western Dubuque H.S.) ranked among the best wrestlers in NCAA Division III in the final NCAA Statistical Rankings for the 2021-22 season. Birt won the NCAA Division III National Championship at 165 pounds at the 2022 NCAA Division III Championships held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 11-12 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the Championships, Birt was announced as the winner of the NCAA Most Dominant Wrestler Award that ranks wrestlers based on the average team points, they score at each meet. Birt's average of 5.45 points placed in first in the statistical ranking ahead of Kaidon Winters of RIT. In the final statistical rankings for the season released on March 23, Birt ranks second in NCAA DIII in the country across all weight classes with 23 wins by fall trailing Kaleb Reeves of Coe who had 24 wrestling at 285 pounds. Birt ranked ninth in the country in technical falls with nine. Birt, who became Millikin's only wrestler to win a national title, ended his historic season at 42-0 setting a new Millikin record for wins in a season. Birt's career ended with an 80 match winning streak , which included no losses in 2020-21 and 2021-22. Since the start of the 2019 season, Birt was of 92-1 with 87 bonus point victories. Birt ended his career with a record of 159-13 (.924) setting new Big Blue records for most wins and highest winning percentage.

The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) named Millikin University sophomore guard Elyce Knudsen of Philo, Ill., to its 2022 WBCA NCAA Division III All-American team announced on March 22, 2022. It is the second All-American honor for Knudsen who was named to the 2021-22 D3hoops.com All-American Women's Basketball First Team on March 19. Millikin senior Jordan Hildebrand of Mendon, Ill., was named a WBCA All-American Honorable Mention. In addition to the All-American honors, Knudsen was named the Region 8 Player of the Year by D3hoops.com and selected to the All-Region First Team. She was the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Lori Kerans Player of the Year and a unanimous All-Conference First Team Selection. Knudsen led the conference in scoring in 2021-22 averaging 19.9 points per game. She was fifth in the CCIW in field goal percentage shooting 47.3 percent on the season. Knudsen was fourth in the conference in assists with 82 and fifth in steals with 59. Overall Knudsen averaged 20.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Knudsen was second in NCAA Division III in field goals made with 248 and third in total points with 623. Knudsen averaged 28 points per game in the Big Blue's three games in the recent NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament. Knudsen was named the CCIW Player of the Week three times this season. She was selected to the 2021-22 Academic All-District Women's Basketball Team, selected by CoSIDA. Hildebrand was an All-Region selection by D3hoops.com and a unanimous selection to the CCIW All-Conference First Team after leading the conference in field goal percentage shooting 56.4 percent on the season. She averaged 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season. Millikin finished the season with a 23-7 record advancing to the Sweet 16 Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. The Big Blue were Co-CCIW Regular Season Champions with a 14-2 record.

Your Big Blue Athletes of the Week are Jake Shumaker and Addison Sargent! Shumaker won the 400m at WashU's Mini Meet in 51.01 seconds over the weekend. Sargent struck out five in a 5-1 W over Lake Forest to improve to 8-0 this season with a 1.64 ERA.

Millikin's Clayton Maack was selected as the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men's Tennis Student-Athlete of the Week on March 23. Maack, a junior from Chesterfield, Mo., and Christian Brothers College finished 5-1 during the Big Blue's Spring Break trip March 13-20. He teamed with Holden Owens at No. 2 doubles and beat Lynchburg's Cooper Brewen and Christian Kumar (8-1) on March 14, followed by an 8-1 win over St. Mary's (Maryland) Sam Sheats and Tyler VanValkenburg on March 17. Maack was 3-0 at No. 1 singles, beating Lynchburg's Levi Vigdorchik (6-3, 4-6, 10-7), St. Mary's Stephen Adam (6-3, 6-4), and Washington College's Ryohei Kawai (6-4, 6-3).

Millikin's Leah Foreman was selected as the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Softball Student-Athlete of the Week on March 22, 2022. Foreman, a sophomore catcher from Riverton, Ill., and Riverton High School batted .700 (7-for-10) with two runs, two doubles, one home run, four RBI and a 1.200 slugging percentage for the Big Blue who went 4-0 during the week of March 14-20. She combined to go 3-for-5 with two doubles, and one walk in a 9-1, 9-8 sweep of Fontbonne on March 18. On March 20, she helped lead Millikin to an 8-3, 9-4 sweep of Washington University in St. Louis as she went 4-for-5 with two runs, one home run and four RBI against the Bears.

After finishing in third place in the 800 Meters at the 2022 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships on March 12, Millikin's Ben Kuxmann (Bourbonnais, Bradley Bourbonnais H.S.) was officially named an All-American by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Monday. Athletes who finish in the top eight in individual events earn All-American honors. Kuxmann had a time of 1:52.68 in the 800 Meters taking third place at the finish line. Ryan Wilson of MIT was the winner at 1:50.92 followed by Steven Potter of Wisconsin-Oshkosh at 1:51.07. Kuxmann turned in a school record time of 1:51.62 in the prelims, which was second fastest behind Potter at 1:51.11.

Millikin University senior forward Jordan Hildebrand of Mendon, Ill., was named to the 2021-22 D3hoops.com All-Region Women's Basketball Team on March 15, 2022 Hildebrand averaged 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season. She was a CCIW All-Conference First Team selection after leading the conference in field goal percentage shooting 56.4 percent on the season. Millikin finished the season with a 23-7 record advancing to the Sweet 16 Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. The Big Blue were Co-CCIW Regular Season Champions with a 14-2 record.

Illinois-Millikin University sophomore guard Elyce Knudsen (Philo, Tolono Unity H.S.) was named to the 2021-22 D3hoops.com All-Region Women's Basketball Team on March 15. Knudsen was selected as the Player of the Year in Region 8 and named to the All-Region First Team. Last month, Knudsen was named the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Lori Kerans Player of the Year and was a unanimous All-Conference First Team Selection. Knudsen led the conference in scoring in 2021-22 averaging 19.9 points per game. She was fifth in the CCIW in field goal percentage shooting 47.3 percent on the season. Knudsen was fourth in conference in assists with 82 and fifth in steals with 59. Overall Knudsen averaged 20.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Knudsen is currently ranked second in NCAA Division III in field goals made with 248 and third in total points with 623. Knudsen averaged 28 points per game in the Big Blue's three games in the recent NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament. Knudsen was named the CCIW Player of the Week three times this season. She was selected to 2021-22 Academic All-District Women's Basketball Team, selected by CoSIDA and is eligible for Academic All-American recognition that will be announced later this week. Millikin finished the season with a 23-7 record advancing to the Sweet 16 Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. The Big Blue were Co-CCIW Regular Season Champions with a 14-2 record.

Millikin University senior Caleb Buehrle of Wildwood, Mo., was selected to the D3baseball.com National Team of the Week on March 9, 2022. In early March, Buehrle was named College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) pitcher of the week in two consecutive weeks after pitching a 3-0 nine-inning shutout against the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh on March 4. This season, he's 3-1 with a 2.27 ERA and 35 strikeouts. The Millikin University baseball team is off to an impressive 13-4 start to the 2022 season, which at one point, included a 10-game winning streak.

Millikin University sophomore guard Elyce Knudsen (Philo, Tolono Unity H.S.) was named to the 2021-22 D3hoops.com All-American Women's Basketball First Team on March 19, 2022. Knudsen was also selected as the Player of the Year in Region 8 and named to the All-Region First Team. Knudsen was the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Lori Kerans Player of the Year and was a unanimous All-Conference First Team Selection. Knudsen led the conference in scoring in 2021-22 averaging 19.9 points per game. She was fifth in the CCIW in field goal percentage shooting 47.3 percent on the season. Knudsen was fourth in conference in assists with 82 and fifth in steals with 59. Overall Knudsen averaged 20.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Knudsen is currently ranked second in NCAA Division III in field goals made with 248 and third in total points with 623. Knudsen averaged 28 points per game in the Big Blue's three games in the recent NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament. Knudsen was named the CCIW Player of the Week three times this season. She was selected to the 2021-22 Academic All-District Women's Basketball Team, selected by CoSIDA. Millikin finished the season with a 23-7 record advancing to the Sweet 16 Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. The Big Blue were Co-CCIW Regular Season Champions with a 14-2 record.

Your Big Blue Athletes of the Week are Peter Sailsman and Lex Tennison! Sailsman won the long jump at Rose Hulman's outdoor season opener & placed 2nd in high jump. Tennison posted a .609 avg in FL, including a crucial eighth inning 2 RBI double in a 7-4 win v. Defiance

For a fifth consecutive year, Millikin University arts technology students were recognized for their creative excellence receiving regional-level American Advertising Awards (ADDY) from the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Northern Illinois chapter this past February. This year, Millikin students submitted their work in the American Advertising Federation Northern Illinois regional competition and received one Gold ADDY, three Silver ADDYs and two Bronze ADDYs. A Gold ADDY recognizes the highest level of creative excellence. Entries that are also considered outstanding and worthy of recognition receive a Silver ADDY. Anne Longman, a senior arts technology major from Park Ridge, Ill., won a Gold ADDY in video storytelling for her project "Our Sweet Road" and a Bronze ADDY for her Millikin Cross Country photography project. Ryan Judd, a senior arts technology major from Illiopolis, Ill., took home a Silver ADDY for his photo "Companions of Midnight," while Zach Cook, a senior arts technology major from Taylorville, Ill., won two Silver ADDYs for his photos and cinematography "Noir" and "Reflections." Claire Eppley, a senior arts technology major from Springfield, Ill., won a Bronze ADDY for a motion graphics animation created to be used as an animated logo bump for Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre. In addition to individual student accolades, Millikin's English and Arts Technology & Administration Departments received a Bronze ADDY Award for the Spring 2021 issue of BURST magazine-a full-fledged student publication. Millikin student-run venture 1901 Productions also won two Silver ADDY Awards for film entertainment pieces titled "Loss of Self" and "Dissociate."

Millikin University senior Bradan Birt, of Epworth, Iowa, won the first NCAA Wrestling Championship in school history taking first place in the 165-pound weight class at the 2022 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on March 11-12. Junior Tommy Russell, of Brookfield, Ill., finished his run in the tournament in eighth place earning All-American honors. The Big Blue finished ninth in the team standings. Birt, a sports management major, won the Championship Match by major decision 14-2 over third-seeded Kyle Hatch of Wabash College. Birt finished the season 42-0 and ended his Big Blue career with a 70-match winning streak dating back to 2019. Birt has a career record of 159-13.