The College of Wooster men's cross country team has a much younger makeup than last year's team. However, the Fighting Scots core returning nucleus had great examples of what it takes to compete at the championship level on a consistent basis. Now, they have the prime opportunity to step into the lead roles and continue the proud tradition within the program.

"We really want to build off what we accomplished last year," said head coach Dennis Rice. "Our strong leadership within the team concept knew what was expected to have great success at the end of the season. I am really excited about the group of team members we have coming back that have been able to gain valuable experience with both training and competition. It is now their turn at setting the tone for the program."

Senior Jack Schuller is Wooster's top returning finisher from last year's North Coast Athletic Conference Championships. His top championship-length time of 27:18.5 came at that meet, and he was one of seven on the team to qualify for the NCAA Div. III Great Lakes Regional Championships.

"Jack's conference performance was incredible," shared Rice. "He really stepped up for the team. His big thing is staying healthy. He is fully recovered from a longterm injury during track and field season. With a good summer of training and base work, he should be able to come in and set the tone within the team concept."

Seniors Joe Ahmann and Zane DeMercurio are other key returnees from the conference squad and join Schuller as captains for this season. Their big improvements were especially evident in the 1,500 meters at this spring's outdoor conference meet, efforts Rice is confident will set up nicely as a springboard to cross country season.

"We are really excited about Joe and Zane," confirmed Rice. "If we are able to get the workload in that we need to, we will have great success. If we can build a strong foundation and team concept and have a positive team attitude, I'm confident they will have great success at the end of the year."

Rice projects Wooster to have a big pack this season and could see the team having a tidy 30-35 second gap between the first and fifth finishers. Other seniors who have "paid their dues" and "been through the ups and downs of being a distance runner" have a "great opportunity to make a stronger impact within the team concept," per Rice. Those seniors looking to help tidy the gap include Charlie Cuttino, Spencer DeHart, Jake George, Reese Johnson, Duncan Miller, Ethan Walling, and Luke Woodfill.

Junior Nick Schade returns from studying abroad during the spring semester, something Rice attributes to being a big part of the success within the program. Prior to going abroad, Schade earned a second letter in cross country and turned in some of his top championship-length times, headlined by a 29:22.6 at the Jenna Strong Classic.

"We are excited to have Nick back," said Rice. "We expect him to step right in and mix in with the senior group to be one of those people within the top seven to set the tone within our team concept."

"Continued development and progression" are the themes for the rest of the junior class, per Rice. He is excited for the prospects of the junior class because "they are going to be setting the tone for the future."

Wooster's junior class is rounded out by Scott Crawford, Yann Kariningufu, Eion McKernan, and Avidor Wolkenberg.

Immediate impact was a theme throughout last year's first-year class, with Basil Keck, Grant Mentzer, and Andrew Rombach all earning a spot on the conference team. Rice is confident their valuable experience, plus the senior leadership of last year's team, has the program positioned well for the future, as they "saw what it takes to compete at the championship level."

"Our conference-qualifying sophomores were able to carry over the championship experience to the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons," shared Rice. "They know the volume it takes to be successful at the collegiate level. We are excited to see what type of jump our sophomores make this upcoming season. They understand the structure of our program and have great potential to do some very exciting things in the future."

Joining the conference-qualifying trio in the sophomore class are Trace Graf, Finley Kimbrell, James Marquis, and Braden Shildmyer.

First-years Elliot Cooper, Tyler Frye, Aaron Krabacher, Alexander Ploenzke, Noah Sebolt, and Kaedyn Yonker round out this year's roster.

"We are excited to incorporate the first-years within our training philosophy," said Rice. "We always like to give our first-years a chance to settle in academically. That is an important part of our success at Wooster. We gradually bring them into the system so they understand what is expected."

Wooster's season starts with the program's annual home invitational on August 29 at L.C. Boles Memorial Golf Course.

"We love hosting meets at home to showcase our beautiful facility on the golf course," wrapped up Rice.