Milligan athletics is in full swing, with results updated as of April 13. Daily updates are available at https://milliganbuffs.com.
Baseball
Milligan’s baseball team has won 34 out of 42 games this season. Its largest margin of victory came March 5 against Union Commonwealth (Ky.), 24-7. The team will begin AAC Tournament play April 28.
Basketball
Milligan’s women’s basketball team competed March 13 in the NAIA National Tournament against the No. 4 seed Loyola University New Orleans at Georgetown College. Loyola New Orleans led early and maintained the advantage, winning 87-79 to advance to the second round.
Bowling
Milligan’s women’s bowling team sent players to the 2025-26 NAIA Women’s Bowling Championships, held March 19–21 in Lansing, Michigan. The tournament featured a 12-team field divided into two double-elimination brackets. Milligan, the No.3 seed, opened in the red bracket against Cumberland University, totaling 973 pins compared to Cumberland’s 1,111. In the elimination bracket, Milligan lost to Ottawa University, winning two of six games.
Cycling
Milligan’s cycling team competed March 7 in the inaugural USA Cycling Collegiate Gravel National Championships in Turkey, Texas. The race covered 50 miles, primarily on gravel, dirt and sand. Kaya Schroeder placed third in the women’s race, while Jack Flippin finished 14th in the men’s race. The team placed third overall in the omnium standings.
Disc Golf
At the 2026 College Disc Golf National Championships, Milligan won both the men’s and women’s Division I team titles for the first time in program history. Benjamin Wagner, Ethan Bishop, James Blocker and Zac Nelson combined for 27-under-par to win the men’s title. Grace Sanderson and Ari Timm matched that total to win the women’s title. Milligan’s ‘B’ team tied for ninth in Division II, while the ‘C’ and ‘D’ teams finished tied for 12th and 36th in Division III.
Flag Football
Milligan’s flag football team is 18-0 this season. Its largest margin of victory came March 17 against Illinois Wesleyan, 82-6.
Softball
Milligan is in its first season under coaches Cassie Fortner and Kaylee Higgins. The team holds a 19-15 record and will compete in the AAC Tournament April 27-30.
Swimming
Milligan sent 24 swimmers to the NAIA Swimming and Diving Championships, held March 4–7 in Elkhart, Indiana. The men’s team placed fourth (360 points) and the women’s team placed eighth (178 points). Riley Renaud won the women’s 1,650-yard freestyle in a school-record 16:59.85, earning her third national title in the event.
Tennis
Milligan’s men’s tennis team is 10-5 this season, while the women’s team is 9-6.
Track and Field
Seven Milligan athletes competed at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships, held March 5–7 in Gainesville, Florida. Ellen-Mary Kearney won the 3,000 meters in 9:45.69. The women’s distance medley relay team placed third in 11:42.60, setting a school record. Marti Molins Rallo finished second in the men’s 800 meters (1:51.07), and Luis Peralta placed third in the 600 meters. The men’s team finished 15th (14 points) and the women’s team finished 18th (17 points).
During the outdoor season, Milligan athletes have set multiple school records. Trevor Sinard set a program record in the discus (52.12 meters) at the Montreat Open on March 21. Phillip Lotivio set a decathlon school record (5,921 points) at the King Invitational on March 28. At the Tennessee Invite on April 11, Luis Peralta set a school record in the men’s 800 meters (1:48.83), and the 4×400 relay team of Kaleb Spears, Brayden Simpson, Carter Windham and Peralta set another school record (3:15.33).
Triathlon
Milligan competed at the USA Triathlon Collegiate Club National Championships, held March 27-28 in Gulfport, Mississippi. Samantha MacPherson placed 37th and Lillie Bullock 52nd in the women’s sprint race. Ellery Cox finished 241st in the Olympic-distance race. On the men’s side, Connor Vanderkolk placed 47th and Ryan True 51st in the sprint race. Milligan’s mixed relay team placed 29th of 61 teams (1:24.10).
Photo: Milligan freshman Christain Davis cheers alongside her teammates after the offense gained a significant amount of yardage in the game against King University Citizens Bank Stadium in Elizabethton, TN on March 24, 2026.
