With a talented and deep sophomore class supported by key senior, junior, and first-year contributors, the future is bright for The College of Wooster men's cross country team. While it will still take time, veteran head coach Dennis Rice is confident this group is going to be Wooster's "next great team" once they are able to put everything together.

"This men's team is an exciting team," Rice summed up. "We are inexperienced still at the championship level and training at the collegiate level. This group has energy and enthusiasm to continue to develop and progress as we continue to move forward as a program. We are excited about the opportunities this group has."

Will Callender, a second-team All-North Coast Athletic Conference performer, is the cornerstone of a sophomore class that has enough talent and depth for a formidable top seven on its own. However, the all-sophomore top seven likely will not happen with talent across the classes, lending itself to a "fun, competitive spirit within the team," as Wooster projects to see a top seven change throughout the season, which "will make the team better," per Rice.

"Will is a great competitor," added Rice when highlighting his No. 1 harrier from 2021. "His competitive spirit is exactly what we are looking for. Team members want to be challenged in our program with the competitive aspect, and Will is not afraid to compete hard and put himself out there."

Ben Nichols, "the type of guy who can challenge to be all-conference in cross country," per Rice, and Eric Johnson, someone "who is going to make a strong impact in the team concept," are among two of Wooster's other talented sophomores who regularly contributed to the scoring contingent as first-years. Drew Robertson, a sophomore with "limited cross country experience" prior to Wooster really "helped the team out last year," according to Rice, while Michail Protopapadakis is "starting to figure things out" with training "falling into place heading into the fall," per the Scots' coach.

"We have multiple guys who have really done some special things in training and competition," summed up Rice on the sophomore class, which also includes Toby Burgess, Will Christopher, Somarr Elliott, and Camron Love. "Others from this class are figuring things out and trying to impact our top seven."

Senior Will McMichael, a College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-American® and four-time NCAC 400 meters champion, provides a veteran championship-producing presence to the young team, something Rice is counting on to enhance the program's success.

"Will loves cross country," shared Rice. "He loves to be challenged with the workouts and the trainings we do in cross country. He is very committed to the success of our program, both in cross country and in track and field."

A senior class, rounded out by Geoffrey Allen, Naol Hulufe, and Keegan Smith continues to "enhance the program in a positive way," per Rice.

Mitch Ecklund, coming off All-Ohio and All-NCAC honors in track and field, and Duncan Hardy headline the junior class, which also includes Graham Harper, Connor Krucek, Bryson Simpson, and Ryan Tepperman.

"Mitch really came into his own during the track and field season," said Rice. "He showed confidence and is somebody who can make a strong impact at the conference and regional level if he can carry that over. The team concept is very important for Duncan. Duncan is someone who can be one of our top runners, and he has to be within the top seven to really enhance this team."

An eight-member first-year class consisting of Joe Ahmann, Gustav Bourdon, Wyatt Cramer, Charlie Cuttino, Spencer DeHart, Zane DeMercurio, Jake George, and Jack Schuller rounds out the 2022 team.

Wooster's home schedule is headlined by the Wooster Invitational on September 1 at 6 p.m. and the NCAC Championships on October 29 at 11 a.m. Both of these signature meets will be held at L.C. Boles Memorial Golf Course.