Numerous Fighting Scots capped cross country season with collegiate-best times, setting the stage for an exciting College of Wooster men's track and field season, where the Black and Gold will be looking to spread the momentum over to all event areas.

"There is great potential on our team," confirmed longtime head coach Dennis Rice. "We had an excellent fall and are looking to build off that. We really want to showcase our relays, because we take a lot of pride in them. The relays bring a lot of energy to every part of our program."

Wooster's sprinters provide a good mix of experience and youth, setting the program up for much success. Junior Nate Chartrand is the leading returnee, thanks to qualifying for the 400 meters championship heat at the indoor and outdoor conference meet last year. He scored as part of Wooster's 4x400 relay as well.

"Nathaniel is a competitor and does not like to get beat," said Rice. "His competitive enthusiasm should give him the opportunity to continue to challenge the top athletes in the conference in the 400."

Sophomore Franklin Adu-Baah has "legit speed," per Rice, who feels he could be a gamechanger for the program. Senior Khaleel Manderson, junior William Harris II, junior Cooper Norwell, junior Robert Hillhouse, and junior Cam Sentieri are all veterans in the program who have helped the Scots to great success in relays in recent seasons. Harris II projects to branch out to the jumps this year, while Sentieri provides flexibility to help anchor both the long sprints and short middle distance events. Other returning sprinters include sophomore Dasebre Ofosu-Manu.

Senior Jake George leads the hurdles and is looking to build off a career-best season. Rice is "really excited to see if he can make that next jump from where he finished last year to this year."

Based on the strong finish to cross country season, middle distance and distance events are areas with plenty of excitement in 2026. Wooster's versatility will provide the staff the interchangeability to slot multiple Scots in a mix of middle distance and distance events to best enhance the team's opportunities for success. Seniors Joe Ahmann and Zane DeMercurio project to primarily be middle distance staples for Wooster, but could see more time in distance events based on being the cross country team's top two performers for the majority of the season.

"We have a really good core group of middle distance runners," said Rice. "Senior Reese Johnson really developed last season and had an amazing conference meet in the outdoor 800. He will bring the leadership to the group. Overall, we have a middle distance core that has a really good work ethic."

Other key middle distance runners Rice will count on include seniors Jack Schuller and Henry Schneiderman, junior Eion McKernan, senior Duncan Miller, and sophomore Andrew Rombach. Wooster's core middle distance returnees are rounded out by senior Charlie Cuttino and senior Luke Woodfill.

Rice is looking to "build off what we accomplished in the fall" with the distance group and to "continue building confidence and training needed to compete at the championship level." He will look to sophomore Basil Keck, junior Nick Schade, sophomore Grant Mentzer, and junior Yann Kariningufu to be the leaders for the Scots in events. Other distance returnees include junior Scott Crawford, senior Spencer DeHart, sophomore Trace Graf, sophomore James Marquis, and senior Ethan Walling.            

Senior Rob Mays III enters 2026 as Wooster's top thrower. Mays III "has the capability to challenge the top guys in the conference, especially in the shot put," per Rice. Wooster's throwers are strengthened by seniors DT Franklin and Braydon Hudson.

"We have a nice group of throwers who have worked hard and made a strong commitment to the program," summed up Rice.

Junior Zephan Deal enters 2026 as Wooster's top high jumper, as does classmate Avidor Wolkenberg in the pole vault. Rice sees Harris II branching out to the long and triple jumps as a junior.

Rice is optimistic about the strong "potential" the first-year class shows and how they can "develop for the future."

Wooster hosts two meets to start the season on Jan. 17 and 24 and is hosting the NCAC heptathlon and pentathlon championship in February. Wooster's annual outdoor meet takes place the first weekend of April.

"We are always excited to showcase our facilities here at the College," said Rice, whose program will debut a new javelin runway for the outdoor meet.