Distance, Middle Distance Projected to Lead Wooster’s Men in 2025

A dominant duo consisting of seniors Will Callender and Drew Robertson are at the forefront of The College of Wooster's men's track and field team in 2025. All-conference returnee Echo Kidd, plus a strong, cohesive relay core support the decorated senior class and gives longtime head coach Dennis Rice plenty to be excited about heading into the track and field season.

"On the men's side, we are looking to build energy off each other through our training sessions, and to have that super energy at meets to enhance team chemistry," shared Rice. "This is so important for our overall success. We had a good couple weeks of practice prior to winter break and our team has made a strong commitment to enhancing the overall experience of our program. We will continue to build off that as we progress through the season."

Callender, a two-time North Coast Athletic Conference Indoor Middle Distance and Distance Athlete of the Year, anchors the distance group. Callender is the defending conference champion in the indoor 5,000 meters and won the indoor 3,000 meters as a sophomore. Robertson, a very decorated all-conference staple in the program, is hungry to get to the national level after just missing qualifying for the Div. III cross country championship this fall.

"We always want to be able to showcase our program at the national level," shared Rice. "Both Will and Drew have potential for us to be able to do that. Our senior class has a whole has done a tremendous job for us to enhance the overall team experience."

Classmates Eric Johnson and Ben Nichols are two Rice is "excited to see how they finish their careers" with all the hard work they have put in at Wooster. Johnson projects to factor in as a steeplechase and distance specialist, while Nichols will primarily focus on middle-distance events. Behind the senior quartet is a "nice group of younger team members continuing to challenge for opportunities to get experience running at the championship level and building off that experience for the future," per Rice.

Wooster's sprinters "have worked hard over the last couple of years to develop the special chemistry that is important to put together strong relays," per Rice. Relay staple Cam Ray, now a senior, was part of Wooster's winning 4x400 at the 2023 North Coast Athletic Conference Championship. Sophomores Nate Chartrand, Will Harris II, and Cooper Norwell, plus junior Khaleel Manderson and senior Liam Regan are Wooster's other key sprinters.

Kidd, a two-time conference champion, and junior Essaie Mezmur lead the jumpers. They are two team members who "know what it takes to compete at the championship level," per Rice, who is "looking for them to challenge the top jumpers in the NCAC."

Junior Lorenzo Freeman, a two-time indoor all-conference hurdler, junior Jake George, and senior Vell Robinson lead the hurdles. Robinson's all-around versatility really shines through in the decathlon and heptathlon.

"We have had success in the hurdles at the championship level and are looking to continue that this year," summed up Rice. "We have a talented group overall and will look to continue to build as we go through the season."

Juniors DT Franklin, Braydon Hudson, Jake Lyon, and Rob Mays III headline a rapidly-improving core in the throws. Rice is looking to "build off the energy they had at the conclusion of the offseason," which the Scots' coach eyes as leading to "opportunities to compete at the championship level."

Sophomore Aaron Denis, senior Hayden Jacoby, and Robinson lead a rapidly up-and-coming pole vault core.

Rice is looking for the newcomers to settle into the system and gain experience to "enhance the program in a positive way." Consistency is Rice's ultimate key to development he preaches to newcomers in the program.

Hosting "some of the best college meets in Ohio" is something Rice takes a lot of pride in, and Wooster has two right off the bat with the Wooster Invitational January 18 and the Fighting Scots Invitational January 25. Wooster's home outdoor meet takes place the first weekend in April.