School News
Blackburn receives $4.8 million grant from IDCEO
Funding Supports the Construction of a New Indoor Athletic Facility to Enhance the Blackburn Student Experience and Expand Community Engagement
CARLINVILLE, IL – Blackburn College has been awarded a $4.8 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Blackburn will utilize the funding to help create and construct the College’s new $6+ million indoor athletic practice facility, which broke ground in May.
With over 40,000 square feet of space, the building project is part of a comprehensive effort to provide Blackburn students and the community greater access to expanded athletic and recreational facilities. Announced earlier this year, the Winning Together campaign for athletics and enrollment aims to build a critical new chapter of the College’s legacy. The efforts will better meet Blackburn’s needs, providing essential space for existing NCAA Division III athletic programs to increase the number of athletes recruited but also allow for an expansion of the athletic offerings. For the entire campus community, the new facility will provide a space for intramural and recreational opportunities and instruction related to academic programs, including physical education and sports management.
Perhaps more importantly, the new facility will increase access to athletic facilities for Carlinville and Macoupin County. Blackburn’s current facilities are already in continual use for campus needs, making it challenging to offer space for community use. The new building will provide space for new opportunities for the surrounding communities, including youth sports, summer camps, and facilitating large gatherings.
“We pride ourselves on offering a high-quality experience for all Blackburn students,” said Kim Camara-Harvey, Athletic Director at Blackburn College. This project will mark one of the most significant investments Blackburn has made into its athletic facilities, and the new building will be the only practice space of its kind for midwestern NCAA Division III schools. “The grant and the state-of-the-art building will further elevate our abilities to support student-athletes, connect with the surrounding communities, and enhance the profile of the College.”
Located on the north end of campus and will feature a 200 x 120-foot turf field, retractable batting cages, a golf performance center with simulators, and a putting and chipping green. New locker rooms, coaching offices, and athletic training space in the facility will serve as the home base for Blackburn’s golf, softball, baseball, and soccer programs, as well as for the College’s newly established men’s and women’s wrestling teams, which are slated to begin competition during the 2023-2024 season.
In addition to the new building, the $7.7 million campaign will modernize this historic Dawes-Woodward Complex. Constructed in 1913, it is a living monument to the students who built it brick-by-brick as part of the school’s unique Work Program. The Dawes project – which will include a new basketball and volleyball court, roof replacement, HVAC upgrades, and a revitalized entryway – will relieve the pressure off Dawes and allow it to continue serving as an integral part of campus life. Winning Together will also transform the tennis courts into a racquet, pickleball and outdoor basketball complex.
“The vital role athletics plays in attracting new students to Blackburn – and keeping them here – cannot be overstated,” said Glen Krupica, Winning Together Campaign Manager. “While these enhancements will help our dedicated coaching staff build and strengthen athletic teams, they also enhance the experience for our Work Program and academics. Student-athletes are more invested in Blackburn, with higher GPAs, retention, and graduation rates, and, for every volleyball player or golfer we recruit, we are also recruiting an artist, a business major, or a future educator.”
For more information regarding the Winning Together campaign, please visit blackburn.edu/winningtogether.
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In a decisive finish that underscored his rising dominance in Illinois Class 1A cross country, senior Chaz Oberkfell of Gillespie High School claimed the state title with a time of 14:31.10 at the IHSA State Cross Country Championships held at Detweiller Park on Saturday, November 8.
Finishing just behind Oberkfell, sophomore Evan Knobloch of Toulon (Stark County) crossed the line in 14:46.25, placing second. Rounding out the top five were senior Blake McLeese of Tuscola (14:46.45), senior Luca Bryja of Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy) with 14:48.38, and senior Elijah Teefey of Pleasant Plains at 14:49.02.
This victory marks Oberkfell’s second IHSA Class 1A state championship. He also won the state crown as a junior in 2024 with a time of 14:31.87. In his sophomore year, he finished 21st with a 15:21.43 season-best time.
Looking ahead, Oberkfell is set to compete in the New Balance NXR Midwest Regional Championships on Sunday, November 16, at the LaVerne Gibson Course in Indiana. The meet serves as a critical stepping stone toward the national championships, and Oberkfell will look to carry his state momentum into the regional stage.
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The community is invited to participate in a family-friendly, drive-thru charity event aimed at keeping local students warm this winter. The “Warm Up Our Kids” drive-thru takes place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Karmak Campus, located at 1 Karmak Plaza, Carlinville, IL and is sponsored by Karmak and Carlinville Area Hospital and Clinics.
Additional drop-off boxes will be available at the following locations to maximize participation and convenience:
- Sullivans in Carlinville, Gillespie, and Litchfield
- Pharmacy Plus in Girard
- Sav-Mor Pharmacy in Virden
- CAH&C Clinic sites in Gillespie, Girard, Carlinville, and Virden
- Briar Rose in Litchfield
- Brave Hazel in Carlinville
- Oh-So Cute Boutique in Virden
Drive through the event route and drop off much-needed supplies listed below. All donations will directly benefit students in the participating school districts, helping ensure every child has the warmth and essentials they need to face the winter season. Community support help bridge gaps and bring tangible, immediate relief to families in need.
Join us in spreading warmth and goodwill this December. The Ben Gil Post and community partners look forward to seeing you at the Karmak Campus drive-thru.
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Class of 2026 (Seniors)
High honor roll: Emily Bergen, Deshaunta Cooper Jackson, Marshall Garwood, Katherine Gerdes, Carson Hailstone, Jule Hansmann, Jersey Helvey, Lillianna Jones, Ava Parish, Kori Petersen, Ava Rakers, Sean Roach, Lucas Rosenthal, Luke Schuckenbrock, Brody Shaw, Carter Sies, Nevaeh Thomas, Hailey Young
Honor roll: Anthony Amoroso, Jacob Baglin, Ceanna Bearden, Mark Caselton, Edin Compton, Carson Cooper, Addison Cox, Jackson Crook, Brookelyn Crotchett, Brayden Enslow, Hank Fletcher, Collin Griffith, Madyson Grogg, Luna Gross, Hunter Hegel, Elin Herold, Roadie Jackson, Kayden Koelker, Kyle Kottman, Cedrick Krieder, Dawson Lancaster, Sophia Lewis, Aiden Manley, Jessalyn McElyea, Mylee Mckee, Dawson Morgan, Douglas Neverdowski, David Norville, Chaz Oberkfell, Tyler Palmer, Lukas Parish, Zachary Phillips, Makayla Price, Joseph Reid, Paxton Reid, Desiree Rife, Ava Segarra, Brock Sherman, Sadie Sholtis, Nathan Spencer, Carman Toprani, Brooklyn VanHuss, Kaia Vickery, Whelen Walker, Claire Wallace
Class of 2027 (Juniors)
High honor roll: Jack Bulla, Olivia Crumley, Emily Helvey, Cole Katich, Olivia Kelly, Tember Miller, Cheyenne Sarti
Honor roll: Zowe Badolato, Jaxon Ballinger, Logan Belcher, Clayton Bethard, Sloane Brawner, Wrigley Bruhn, Mitchell Clark, Keenin Compton, Lillian Conner, Riley Cox, Briley Flournoy, Margaret Heyen, Marli Johnson, Lucca Kapp, Zaden King, Isaac Kravanya, Michael Marcacci, Braxten Noll, Adam Peterson, Matthew Plovich, William Ranger Fleshman, Wesley Reiman, Cash Reynolds, Karlee Rhodes, Landon Ridenhour, Kolten Robbins Lasica, Alex Schoen, Laci Schuckenbrock, Emilia Segarra, Carter Segrest, Jasmine Smith, Cali Stagner, Emerson Striegel, Payten Taylor, Caleb Thompson, Amari Vickery, Aedan Watson, Macie Williams, Maxwell Young
Class of 2028 (Sophomores)
High honor roll: Cali Barkley, Scarlet Bruhn
Honor roll: Bryce Alpi, Gracelynn Balestri, Dallas Barker, Alexis Brown, Logan Buhs, Aleeyah Busch, Jasper Calcari, Ava Carr, Annabelle Daniels, Tegan Davis, Tess Dixon, Lyla Drewel, Madison Durston, Kylie Edge, Lainey Edwards, Floritza Garcia Santiago, Katie Hamann, Keegan Hartpence, Kullen Hartpence, Hadyn Hegel, Olivia Hitos Colino, Nolan Hostettler, Levi Hughes, Henry Knetzer, Sophie Knetzer, Cory Knotts, Paige Marcum, Noah Marks, Kyndall McElyea, Weston Melchert, Alexis Nalley, Preston Noe, Stephen Otten, Elijah Pabon, Urijah Pabon, Brianna Phillips, Benjamin Pruitt, Braden Reich, Caitlynn Rhodes, Nolan Ruyle, Alyssa Saathoff, Kendall Schweppe, Helaina Scott, Destini Smith, Gillian Smith, Aliana Snow, Xzavier Spencer, Rafe Stangle, Richetti Stewart, Bryce Stoecker, Addisyn Tallman, Madisyn Thomas, Ayden Vernish, Luke Walker, Matrix Wright, Carter Young
Class of 2029 (Freshmen)
High honor roll: Collins Hagan, Marlee Hebenstreit, Paige Swank
Honor roll: Alesana Adams, Ella Brawner, Audrina Burkel, Bryson Cox, Chyla Crainick, Rayne Crites, Joshua Crumley, Thodrick Dirks, Mariella Garrison, Rylee Geisler, Landyn Hagler, Owen Hammann, Kai Hampson, Regan Harbaugh, Isabella Harbour, Gavin Horner, Alexander Jacobs, Alex Johnson, Giana Kapp, Addeline Laflin, Izzabella Manus, Frank Montoro, Storm Moreland, Amaelie Patterson, Dominique Payne Jr., Benjamin Peterson, Lila Polach, Avianna Ranger Fleshman, Marxon Rolando, Dominic Savant, Jackson Schardan, Jacob Schuette, Kristina Schuette, Lyla Shaw, Holden Sies, Kelleigh Simmons, Hanley Stoecker, Addyson Strang, Graham Striegel, Jacob Walker, Payton Welch, Bryleigh Whaley, Cole Williamson, Sydney Wilson, Michael Yeager
