PENFIELD, N.Y. — Averett University men's golf senior Killian O'Reilly's run at the 2025 NCAA Division III National Championships ended Wednesday amid tough conditions in a competitive field. O'Reilly shot a 6-over-par 78 during the second round, putting him at 11-over through 36 holes and shy of making the cut for the final two rounds.

After entering the day at 5-over, O'Reilly battled cold and rainy conditions while playing the second round at Midvale Country Club. With an 8 a.m. shotgun start on No. 6, O'Reilly bogeyed two of his first four holes. He recovered with two consecutive pars before a stretch of three bogeys over a four-hole span to put him at 5-over for the round as the rain intensified. After returning to the front nine, O'Reilly put together back-to-back birdies n No. 2 and No. 3 to get within 3-under for the round and 8-under for the tournament. However, he finished with a bogey and a double-bogey on the par-72, 6,558-yard course to slide him to 11-over for the tournament.
 
"Today was just a battle from start to finish," O'Reilly said. "The morning was very cold, then the rain came. It started raining sideways over the last 13-14 holes. Although the weather was bad, we kept our heads held high and kept pushing. I'm happy with how we kept going and never gave up. The national championship is always well run and I couldn't be happier to say it was my last collegiate event. It wasn't how I wanted it to end, but I got here because of all the hard work I put into this sport. I hope my experience here motivates the rest of the team for next year."

Following Wednesday's play, the field was trimmed to the top 18 teams and the top six individuals not on one of the top 18 teams for the final 36 holes, which will be played solely at Midvale.

Bethel University's Will Karkoc, a co-leader after Day 1, continues to lead the field. He shot 2-under on Wednesday to put him at 6-under for the tournament and has a three-stroke lead. Only three golfers in the field of 225 are under par. No. 5 Illinois Wesleyan University leads the team standings after two rounds by two strokes at 19-over.

O'Reilly's collegiate career came to a close following a memorable season. A PING All-Region and All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference First Team selection, O'Reilly was one of 10 individuals from teams not on a school within the 43-team field who made the tournament. He was the first Cougar to make the field as an individual since Craig Hosie placed 10th overall in the 2004 NCAA Division III National Championships. It was O'Reilly's second appearance in the national tournament after also competing with Averett as part of the team that qualified in 2023.

"I'm very proud of how we battled all day long, never giving up or giving in to the elements," Averett Director of Golf Jeremy Gamba said. "Keeping your focus on a day like today is very difficult, but we did. Obviously, it was not the outcome we were hoping for but that's how it goes sometimes and it doesn't take anything away from all we accomplished this whole year together. I know that Killian's college journey ends here, but he has such a bright future ahead of him. I can't wait to see where the road takes him next."