The Ursinus Spring Track and Field season is well underway and it’s shaping up to be an exciting one, with many athletes already delivering outstanding performances.
The men’s team remain very strong in field events, with numerous star returners including Jayden McKeen ‘27, who has been voted Centennial Field Athlete of the Week for three consecutive weeks. This honor came after taking second overall at the Bison Outdoor Classic. Other strong performers in the field include high jumper James Sims ‘26, who cleared 1.93m to take third in the first meet of the season, and pole-vaulter Mitchell Davis ‘28, who is currently ranked first in the conference.
On the track, the team is led by Aiden Tobin ‘26, who recorded two season bests at the Bison Outdoor Classic in the 100 meter (10.90) and 200 meter (21.94), times which rank 4th and 3rd in the conference respectively. Devon Greaves ‘25 has also showed out, currently leading the Centennial in the 400m hurdles with a time of 56.49 and ranked third in the 110m hurdles (15.88). Fellow hurdlers Mason Jolivette ‘25 and Kyle Cummings ‘28 also recorded times within the Centennial’s top five for the 400m hurdles. Distance runner Liam Johnston ‘26 has also impressed, with a strong performance in the steeplechase at the Bison Outdoor Classic, with a time of 9:32:46.
Heading into the 2025 season, expectations were high for the men’s team, as they have been the reigning Centennial Conference champions for three consecutive years. The Bears remain a top contender this season thanks to their star returners, but certainly have their work cut out for them. Conference rivals Johns Hopkins have gotten out to a blistering start this season, currently leading the timesheet in multiple events, and showing outstanding depth in the distance races. With the Centennial Championships looming, the men’s team will look to lock in some strong performances and continue to progress their way up the scoresheet before the regular season wraps up at the end of the month.
On the women’s side, the team has gotten out to a decent start, as they look to build on their success from the 2024 season. Last year, the women’s team placed third in the Centennial Conference Championships for the first time since 2021 and hope to maintain their place as a top team in the conference.
Hurdler Kaelin Ryan ‘26 has gotten off to an unbelievable start, setting a personal best in 100m hurdles with a time of 14.88 after setting a personal best of 15.14 in the week prior. Fellow hurdler Samantha Wechsler ‘27 is not far behind, recording a time of 15.33 at the Bison Outdoor Classic. In the distance events, Mia Sideris ‘26 remains the sole Ursinus runner in the 5000m, which she competed at the Ursinus Track and Field Festival to take 4th with a time of 18:26:37.
In the field, the throwers are led by Hannah Quinn ‘27, who has competed in shot put, hammer, and discus this season. Samantha Wechsler has also had impressive showings in both long jump (5.47m) and triple jump (11.35m), currently ranked second in the conference for each event.
Like the men, the women’s team will be looking to improve their rankings in certain events and shave off their times if they hope to have another successful showing at the Centennial Conference Championships in May.