DECATUR, Ill. - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced their all-region athletes last week, seeing three Millikin athletes be named to the list. Freshman Decatur native Jorden Tedford would be recognized in the high jump while sophomore Ben Kuxmann and junior Mackenzie Dixon would earn honors in the 800 meters. 

Jorden Tedford came to Millikin after an impressive high school career at Warrensburg-Latham High School, where he claimed the Class 1A State Champion title in the high jump his junior and senior years. This year for the Big Blue, Tedford would win the high jump at two meets, first in a dual meet against Illinois Wesleyan University that would see the freshman clear 6 feet 8.75 inches and again at the CCIW Indoor Track & Field Championships where he would set a new CCIW Championships record with his 6 foot 10 inch jump. The Championship record jump was good enough to qualify Tedford for the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships and tie the Millikin University school record that was set in 1983 by Al Sheriff. 

Ben Kuxmann, a sophomore from Bourbonnais, Illinois would earn All-Region honors in the 800 meters event. Kuxmann currently holds the Millikin University school record in the event, posting a 1:54.16 final time on February 29 at the CCIW Indoor Track & Field Championships where he would be crowned CCIW Champion in the event. Since his freshman year, Kuxmann has shaved 5.21 seconds off his previous best time. The sophomore has school record times in the 600 meters, 800 meters and 4x400 relay.

Mackenzie Dixon earned All-Region honors on the women's side in the 800 meters. Dixon, a junior from Edwardsville, Illinois is the current school record holder in the event with a 2:12.88 final time recorded on February 14 at the Hoosier Hills Invitational hosted by Indiana University; Dixon would place second overall in the event that saw her up against NCAA Division I talent. This year, Dixon qualified for the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships for the third straight year in a row. Throughout her career, Dixon has improved her 800 meters best time from 2:17.56 as a freshman to her school record time of 2:12.88.