Greenville University has been chosen as the 2025 SLIAC Men's Track and Field favorites. The Panthers have swept both the indoor and outdoor conference championships all five years the conference has held both championships.
Greenville lost quite a bit from their throwing group but return a strong core of sptiners and distance runners. Gianni Estrada is the two-time reigning 3000 meter run champion and three-time 5000 meter run title holder. Joe Gomez and Jalen Franz are expected to do battle in the 800 meter race. The Panthers boast five runners that have a 10.90 second or better time in the 100 meters while Cory Stoll and Jordan Peternel are among the best jumpers in the conference. Top newcomers to watch for head coach Brian Patton are Jack Arends, Keenon Johnikin, Jared Ury, Ben Wilcoxen, and Eric Mitchell.
Webster was picked 2nd on the poll, receiving 73 points. No team information provided.
Principia College picked up 57 points and are coming off a 6th place showing at indoors and 3rd place at the outdoor championship. Head Coach Nick Barron brings back several returners from last year's group including Rex Heath, the two-time defending steeplechase champion. Howard James took 2nd place in the long jump at last year's championship and will be joined in that event by Pius Sempumbu, who will also compete in sprints. Nana Koranteng is back to compete in the middle distance events while Zach Proctor returns as a distance runner. Newcomers to watch are Mark Fisher and Quan Daniels (throwers) and Kennett Rampley and Holland Thomas (distance).
Coming in 4th on the poll was Lyon College with 53 points. The Scots placed 4th at both championships last year and head coach Adam Trausch has a good group of returners to follow up. Avery Sterling took 3rd in the 60 meter hurdles at last year's indoor championship. Jakobe Alcorn was 2nd in the outdoor high jump while Eilijah White leads the charge for the team in sprints. All attention though will go towards thrower JP Morgan, the 2024 SLIAC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year.
Just behind was Spalding University with 52 points. The Golden Eagles are coached by Stephen Gray and bring in a strong group of newcomers to join the program's strong middle and distance runners. Wyatt Frye, Noah Stinson, and Caleb Stinson bring the experience to the program. New faces to watch are Chad Dahl, Chance Lucas, Jamarkus Walker, and Jack Muncaster.
Placing 6th was MUW with 43 points. No team information provided.
There was a tie for 7th place with 30 points between Westminster College and Eureka College.
The Blue Jays continue to grow their program under head coach Hunter Briggs. They will have a young team but have built the roster up to 14 athletes for this year. Noah Ottinger will look to compete in middle distance events while Ashton Wheeler will head up the Blue Jays group of jumpers.
Eureka is coming off a 9th place finish at the indoor championship and a 7th place showing at the outdoors. Their list of returners include Bailey Webster, Jose Amador, Michael Beaumont, Tucker Williamson, and Hayden Skaggs. Head Coach Chris Robinson is excited for Webster after showing signs of improvement this fall from cross country. Amador will compete in the distance races while newcomer Merdi Ilonga will bring some speed to the program. Skaggs continues his recover from a serious injury and is looking for a strong senior season.
Blackburn College picked up 15 points, placing 9th on the poll. Collyn Oberkfell heads up the Beavers middle-distance events while Sam Burrows returns to lead the way in the longer running events. Byron McNeil is new to the team and will compete in the jumps.
Fontbonne University concludes the poll. The Griffins placed 2nd at the indoor championships and 5th in outdoors last year but will have a smaller roster and new coaching staff in the program's final year. Head Coach Marquis Jones will turn his attention to Jacob Lorimer, a junior, that took 4th place in the 3000 steeplechase and 7th in the 5000 meter run last year.