Athletics Updates

As we prepare for the 2026 season, our program is focused on building a stronger foundation and taking the next step together. The dedication our student-athletes have shown throughout the offseason has been outstanding, and we’re excited to see that work translate onto the field this fall.

• Building for the Future: Returning veterans and emerging young players gained valuable experience last season. Throughout the offseason, we have emphasized physical development, leadership and competition at every position as we continue building a strong program culture. We are excited to welcome 25 new Bearcats to the program.
• Conference Recognition: We were proud to see Jonjon Delgado earn Second Team All-Northwest Conference honors, while Austin Payne and Javi Rodriguez were selected to the Third Team. Their recognition reflects the strength of our defense and the commitment and talent within our program. Read more about our All-NWC honorees.

• Academic Excellence: Six Bearcats—Nick Beswick-Seidl, Brayden Duke, Prese Juarez, Braden Ovitz, Brandon Smith and Palmer Smith—were named to the National Football Foundation’s Hampshire Honor Society. The honor recognizes college football players who have maintained high academic achievement throughout their careers. The team completed the year with a combined team GPA of over 3.1. 
• A Challenging Schedule Awaits: We begin the season with two games on the road before returning to McCulloch Stadium for our home opener against La Verne on Saturday, September 19. Northwest Conference play will then test us against strong competition throughout the fall. View the complete 2026 schedule.
• Join Us This Fall: We hope you’ll return to McCulloch Stadium on September 19 for Alumni Day. It will be a great opportunity to reconnect with former teammates, celebrate Bearcat Football and cheer on this year’s team against La Verne.

Thank you for your continued commitment to Willamette Football. We look forward to seeing you this fall.

Go Bearcats,

Coach Williams

As we prepare for the 2026 cross country season, our team is excited to build on the progress we've made and continue pursuing excellence both on the course and in the classroom. Our student-athletes have put together a tremendous summer of training, and we're eager to represent Willamette at some of the top meets in the region this fall.

• Building on Last Season: With only one graduating senior, our returning runners gained valuable experience competing against some of the strongest programs in NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference. That experience has fueled an outstanding offseason as we prepare to continue climbing the conference standings.
• Conference & National Recognition: Last season featured several standout performances, with Thomas Bernadicou earning Second Team All-Northwest Conference honors as the team finished Third at the NWC Championships. We went on to finish 13th at the NCAA Division III West Regional Championships, hosted by Pomona-Pitzer in Claremont, California. Those accomplishments have created momentum that our returning student-athletes are determined to build upon.

• Follow Us This Fall: Our 2026 schedule once again features many of the premier meets in the Pacific Northwest, providing opportunities to compete against outstanding regional and national competition before the Northwest Conference Championships and the NCAA West Regional. Whether you're in Oregon, Washington, or Northern California, we hope you'll come out and cheer on the Bearcats whenever we're competing.
• Thank You for Your Support: The tradition of Bearcat Cross Country has been built by generations of dedicated alumni. Whether you join us at a meet, encourage our student-athletes from afar, or reconnect with former teammates, your support continues to inspire our program.

Thank you for your continued commitment to Willamette Men's Cross Country. We look forward to seeing many of you along the course this fall.

Go Bearcats,

Coach McGuirk

As we prepare for the 2026 cross country season, our team is excited to build on last year's success and continue the proud tradition of Bearcat Women's Cross Country. With three returning sophomores who gained valuable experience in their first year last season, our team is young, motivated, and well-positioned to continue growing and competing at a high level for years to come.

• Conference Success: Senior Anna Bikle capped an outstanding season by earning Second Team All-Northwest Conference honors after placing sixth at the Northwest Conference Championships. Her performance highlighted the progress of our program and set a strong example for our returning runners as we look to continue climbing the conference standings this fall.

• Follow Us This Fall: The Bearcats will compete across Oregon, Washington, and California this season, taking on a challenging schedule that includes several of the West Region's top meets before culminating with the Northwest Conference Championships, the NCAA West Regional, and, hopefully, the NCAA Division III Championships. Whether we're racing close to home or on the road, we hope you'll come out and cheer on the Bearcats throughout the season.
• Thank You for Your Support: The success of our program has been built by generations of Bearcat alumni. Whether you're cheering from the course, mentoring current student-athletes, or reconnecting with former teammates, your continued support inspires the next generation of Bearcats.

Thank you for your continued commitment to Willamette Women's Cross Country. We look forward to seeing many of you this fall.

Go Bearcats,

Coach McGuirk

As we prepare for the 2026 season, our team is excited to build on the progress we made last fall. After climbing from seventh to third in the Northwest Conference standings, our student-athletes have embraced the challenge of taking another step forward. The commitment and culture they've built this offseason have us eager to get back on the pitch.

• A Program on the Rise: Last season, we finished 7-6-7 overall and 7-3-6 in Northwest Conference play, highlighted by impressive late-season wins over Pacific (3-0) and Lewis & Clark (5-0) to close the year on a high note. 
• Conference Recognition: Four Bearcats earned All-Northwest Conference honors—Rory McKee and Ky Iliev were named to the Second Team, while Dylan Ray and Brenden Pineda earned Third Team recognition. Their accomplishments reflect the talent, leadership, and competitive spirit returning to our squad this fall.
• Success in the Classroom: Midfielder Josiah Jakab and goalkeeper Mikkel Jensen were named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District, demonstrating our team's commitment to excellence both on the field and in the classroom.
• Building the Roster: Along with all-conference honoree Brenden Pineda, the squad sees three key players returning who started every match last season. Midfielder Paddy Bell, defender Everett Caspell, and goalkeeper Mikkel Jensen will provide an experienced backbone to the team. We also welcome an incoming class of 11 players looking to make their mark on the program.

• An Exciting Fall Ahead: Our 2026 schedule begins with exhibitions against Fraser Valley and Lane CC, followed by a challenging Southern California trip to face Whittier and Pomona-Pitzer before Northwest Conference play begins. We'll host key conference matchups at Sparks Field, including Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran, Whitman, Whitworth, and Linfield, and we'd love to see Bearcat alumni in the stands throughout the season, at home or on the road!
• Alumni Game: Your chance to get back out on the Sparks pitch will be in the Spring. More details to follow. 

Thank you for your continued support of Willamette Men's Soccer. Your encouragement means so much to our student-athletes, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Sparks Field this fall.

Go Bearcats,

Coach Corti-Young

As we prepare for the 2026 season, our team is excited to build on the momentum we've created over the past year. 

Our student-athletes have embraced every challenge this offseason, and we're eager to compete together while continuing to represent Willamette with pride on the field, in the classroom, and throughout our community.

• Building on a Strong Foundation: Last season featured exciting performances, valuable experience for a talented returning core, and the best Northwest Conference record since the 2019 season. Our team has used that momentum to raise the standard during spring training. 
• Recognized Across the Conference: Two Bearcats earned All-Northwest Conference honors, reflecting the hard work and commitment of our student-athletes throughout the season. Those individual accomplishments are a direct result of the team's collective effort.
• Excellence in the Classroom: Our program continues to excel academically, with four student-athletes earning College Sports Communicators Academic All-District recognition. Their dedication to balancing the demands of collegiate athletics and academics exemplifies what it means to be a Bearcat.

• Follow Us on the Road: We love seeing Bearcat alumni wherever we travel! This year's schedule includes a non-conference road trip to Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota (St. Catherine & Augsburg), along with Northwest Conference matches at Newberg (George Fox), Forest Grove (Pacific), Tacoma (Pacific Lutheran & Puget Sound), Walla Walla (Whitman), Spokane (Whitworth), McMinnville (Linfield) and Portland (Lewis & Clark). If we're playing in your area, we'd love to see you in the stands supporting the Bearcats and please take a moment to say hello as we absolutely love engaging with our alumni!
• Join Us at Sparks Field: We'll also host an exciting slate of home matches this fall, including conference contests against George Fox, Lewis & Clark, Pacific Lutheran, Puget Sound, Whitman, Whitworth, and Linfield. Your support means the world to our student-athletes and helps strengthen the tradition of Bearcat Women's Soccer.
• Alumni Game: Save the date for the weekend of March 13–14 to get back out on the Sparks pitch! More details to come soon.

Thank you for your continued support of Willamette Women's Soccer. Our alumni have played an important role in building this program, and we're excited to continue that tradition this fall.

Go Bearcats,

Coach Ljubicic

 

As we prepare for the 2026 season, our Women's Triathlon team is excited to continue building on the success that has made Willamette one of the nation's premier NCAA Division III programs. Our student-athletes have trained tirelessly throughout the offseason, and we're looking forward to another year of competing against the best in the country.

• A Bearcat Welcome to Kate Matthews: Kate Mathews is the new Head Coach for the Bearcats' women's triathlon team. Mathews, an accomplished aquatics director and swim coach, will take over leadership of the highly successful NCAA Division III program.
• All-America Success: Last season, four Bearcats earned All-America honors, a remarkable accomplishment that reflects the strength and depth of our program. Their fourth place finish in DIII at the Collegiate National Championship continues the tradition of excellence that has become synonymous with Willamette Women's Triathlon.

• Excellence in the Classroom: Our commitment to academic excellence continues to match our success in competition. Following the 2025 season, the Collegiate Triathlon Coaches Association (CTCA) recognized Willamette Women's Triathlon as a Scholar All-America Team for earning a team GPA above 3.2. In addition, four Bearcats earned CTCA Scholar All-America honors, recognizing both their outstanding academic achievement and their success on the race course. These accomplishments reflect the discipline, balance, and dedication our student-athletes bring to every aspect of the Willamette experience.
• Follow Us This Fall: Our 2026 schedule once again takes us to some of the nation's premier collegiate triathlon events, including races in Newport, OR and Ft. Worth, TX, culminating with the Collegiate National Championships November, 8th. Whether we're racing close to home or across the country, we always appreciate seeing Bearcat alumni cheering us on.
• Thank You for Your Support: You have played a huge role in establishing Women's Triathlon at Willamette. Every season has helped shape the identity and culture of our young program, and we're excited to continue building on that foundation. Whether you follow our races, connect with our student-athletes, or cheer us on from afar, your encouragement helps fuel our success. As we enter our sixth season, we look forward to continuing to grow this program together and making you proud throughout.

Thank you again for your continued commitment to Willamette Women's Triathlon. We can't wait to represent Bearcat Nation this fall.

Go Bearcats,

Leslie Shevlin

As we prepare for the 2026 season, our team is excited to build on the momentum from one of the strongest years our program has enjoyed in recent memory. 

Returning to the Northwest Conference Tournament reaffirmed the direction of our program, and our student-athletes have spent the offseason committed to taking the next step.

• Building on Success: Last fall, we earned a return to the Northwest Conference Tournament after a fourth-place conference finish, marking an important milestone for our program and giving our returning players valuable postseason experience to build upon.
• Recognized Across the Conference: Our team was rewarded for an outstanding season with multiple All-Northwest Conference selections, reflecting the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes throughout the year. Those honors have set a new standard as we prepare for 2026.

• Excellence Beyond the Court: Success at Willamette means excelling in every aspect of the student-athlete experience. Four Bearcats earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors, a tremendous achievement that reflects our commitment to academic excellence alongside athletic success.
• An Exciting Fall Ahead: This year's schedule features another challenging non-conference slate before Northwest Conference play begins, providing our team with opportunities to test ourselves early and prepare for another run at the conference tournament. In addition to our matches in Salem and across the Pacific Northwest during conference play, we’ll be in LA County in mid-September. We’d love to see any alumni in the area!
• Reconnect at the Alumni Game: We hope you'll join us for our Alumni Game on Saturday, August 29 at 2:00 p.m. It's a chance to reconnect with former teammates, celebrate the history of Bearcat Volleyball, and welcome our newest student-athletes into the program. Whether you're ready to take the court or cheer from the sidelines, we'd love to see you back in Salem. Please let us know you’re coming here so we can plan accordingly.

Thank you for your continued encouragement and investment in Bearcat Volleyball. We look forward to seeing you this fall—and to building on the success of last season.

Go Bearcats,

Coach Hallock