ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — As the outdoor track and field season reaches the end of the regular meet schedule, Beloit College sent four athletes to test their mettle against a deep field of collegiate talent this afternoon. From the throwing rings to the sprint lanes, the Buccaneers showcased their strength in a meet dominated by personal bests and regional powerhouses.
The standout performance of the day for the Buccaneers came from Joshua Martinez Marte (Beloit, Wis.). Competing in the Men's Discus Invite —the most competitive flight of the event—the junior secured a 5th-place finish with a powerful toss of 50.64m. Martinez held his own against top-tier competition from Loras and Wabash, solidifying his status as a regional threat in the event.
In the Men's Shot Put, sophomore Ian Phillips (Machesney Park, Ill.) represented the Bucs well. Phillips finished 12th overall in a crowded field of 21 throwers, recording a best mark of 14.04m
On the straightaway, junior Josh Yearby (Hollywood, FL) took to the blocks for the Men's 100 Meter Collegiate Prelims. In a blisteringly fast set of heats, Yearby clocked a time of 11.01a, finishing 35th in a massive field of 65 sprinters. While Yearby did not advance to the finals, his performance remained a highlight of the Buccaneer sprint program. Yearby was also scheduled for the 200 Meter Finals but did not start (DNS).
Over at the sand pit, sophomore John Deary II (Avondale, LA) turned in a strong performance in the Men's Long Jump. Competing against 18 other athletes, he leaped to a distance of 6.46m, earning a 10th-place finish. His jump showed consistent form in a high-pressure environment featuring several jumpers from the nationally-ranked Augustana (Ill.) and Greenville programs.
Nate Otis (Shoreview, Minn.) and Josh Martinez hold steady in the national rankings. Otis sits in 18th in the 400m Hurdles while Martinez takes up the 15th spot in Discus. Selections for the 2026 DIII men's and women's outdoor track and field championships will be revealed on Friday, May 15, via a press release on NCAA.com. Qualifying marks from Saturday, Mar. 1, to Thursday, May 14 will be considered.
