Contact: Chassidy Holloway, Associate Executive Director, holloway@midwestconference.org
 
GRINNELL, Iowa – Ripon College claimed the top spot in the Midwest Conference (MWC) men’s track & field preseason coaches’ poll, announced Thursday, December 5.
 
Predicted to sweep both the indoor and outdoor championships for the fourth consecutive year, the Red Hawks secured four first-place votes and 58 points.
 
A tight race separates the second through fifth positions, with just four points dividing these teams.
 
The Fighting Scots of Monmouth College earned 49 points and one first-place vote, finishing second by a narrow one-point margin over Illinois College. The Blueboys collected two first-place votes and 48 points, edging out Cornell College, which also garnered two first-place votes and 46 points. Grinnell College followed closely with 45 points.
 
The rankings are rounded out by Lawrence University (28), Beloit College (23), Lake Forest College (14), and Knox College (13).
 
The 2024-25 track and field season begins with indoor competition on Friday, December 6, featuring five of the nine teams in action over the weekend.
 
The 2025 MWC Indoor Track & Field Championships are set for Friday, February 28, through Saturday, March 1, at Monmouth College.
 
Outdoor track and field competition will begin on Friday, March 14, culminating at the 2025 MWC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, hosted by Lawrence University on Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10.
 
Full preseason poll results and quick facts for all nine teams can be found below.
 
2024-25 MWC Men’s Track & Field Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Ripon College (4) – 58 points
2. Monmouth College (1) – 49 points
3. Illinois College (2) – 48 points
4. Cornell College (2) – 46 points
5. Grinnell College – 45 points
6. Lawrence University – 28 points
7. Beloit College – 23 points
8. Lake Forest College – 14 points
9. Knox College – 13 points
 
() – indicates first-place votes
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
 
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Brian Bliese (25^th Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 7^th
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: 5^th
All-Conference Returnees: Alex Atou (5^th Year), Nate Otis (Jr.), Josh Yearby (So.)
 
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Jerry Monner (3^rd Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 3^rd
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: 6^th
All-Conference Returnees: Hadley Beaty (So.), Isaak Hutchings (Sr.), Fisher Isaacson (Sr.), Currey Jacobs (Sr.), Jaxin McQuire (Jr.), Gabe Soda (Sr.), Isaac vanWestrienen (Jr. – 2024 Indoor Newcomer of the Year, 2024 Indoor Outstanding Track Performer), Parker Voigt (Jr.)
 
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Jeff Pedersen (5^th Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 4^th
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: 3^rd
All-Conference Returnees: Jake Bell (So.), Ian Clawson (Jr.), Lucas Fadden (Jr.), Keaton Fitzgerald (Jr.), Xavier James (Sr.), Caden Pfister (So.), Justin Rathburn (So.)
 
Illinois College Blueboys
Head Coach: Dirk Doehring (2^nd Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 5^th
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: 2^nd
All-Conference Returnees: Brady Borntrager (Sr.), Dylan Doss (So.), Adam Hernandez (So.), Jackson Lee (Sr.), Xander Moushon (Sr.), Deon Rogers (Jr.), Jaden Saunders (So.), Carter Wasson (So.)
 
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Mark Nelson (2^nd Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 9^th
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: 8^th
All-Conference Returnees: Lance Miller (Jr.)
 
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Patrick Austin (3^rd Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 8^th
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: 9^th
All-Conference Returnees: Bart Brophy (Sr.), Andrew Douthat (Sr.), Ali Faiz (Jr.), Ollie Francis (So.), Matthew Lungu (Sr.), Shuntaro Nakamura (So.), Payton Ross (So.), Mason Wright (Jr.)

Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Elizabeth Krug (1^st Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 6^th
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: 7^th
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
 
Monmouth College Fighting Scots
Head Coach: Brian Woodard (3^rd Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 2^nd
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: 4^th
All-Conference Returnees: Shane Anderson (Sr.), Patrick Curry (Jr.), Logan Morse (So.), Eli Newton (Sr.), Blake Orwig (Jr.), Adrian Outlaw (Jr.), Da’Von Patterson (So), Caleb Toberman (Sr.)

Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Bob Wood (8^th Season)
2024 MWC Indoor Finish: 1^st
2024 MWC Outdoor Finish: 1^st
All-Conference Returnees: Jacoby Cefalu (Sr.), Jacob Davies (Grad.), Ben Fisher (Sr.), Christian Kuwaye (Sr.), Finley Manning (Jr.), Dorian Phillips (Jr..), Adisun Romprey (So), Isaac San Diego (Jr.), Matt Seeber (Sr.), Sam Trzebiatowski (Sr.), Logan Vander Galien (Sr.), Rainier Villanueva (Sr.), Dameco Walker (Sr. – 2024 Indoor Outstanding Field Performer, 2024 Outdoor Outstanding Field Performer, 2021 MWC North Outdoor Outstanding Track Performer)