Williamsburg, KY– The University of the Cumberlands men's track & field program enters the 2025–26 indoor season coming off a NAIA Runner-Up finish last season. With multiple national champions returning, a podium finish at the NAIA Cross Country National Championships, and an influx of elite newcomers, the Patriots once again look poised to compete among the nation's best. Though several All-Americans graduated this offseason, Cumberlands brings back a deep and balanced roster that continues to reaffirm the program's status as a perennial national contender.
 
Sprints
Cumberlands' sprint group underwent some turnover, but the Patriots return enough proven veterans while adding several immediate-impact athletes who elevate the unit back into national competitor. A season ago, UC posted All-American finishes in every indoor sprint event including the 60m, 200m, 400m, and 4x400. All-American Travion Dotson leads the returning group after establishing himself as one of the top 60-meter specialists in the NAIA last season, finishing sixth in the finals, as well as a 200m national qualifier as well. He currently holds the Patriots 60m record with a 6.73 a season ago. Veterans Grayson Rahbany and Eddie Van Wyk bring valuable experience in the 60, 200 and 400, giving depth to the relay squads as well.
 
The biggest shift in the sprints comes from a trio of newcomers expected to contribute right away. LeBron Williams, who will make his Patriots debut this weekend, brings explosive speed with personal bests of 6.78 and 21.30. "LeBron is blazing fast out of the blocks," sprints coach Derek White said. "He has a real shot to be a major threat in the 60 this year." Roy Miller, with marks of 21.27 and 46.73, strengthens the long sprint group and provides championship-level potential. "Roy is a gamer and has that IT factor," White said. "This season is going to be really special for him, a 400-meter title could absolutely be in his hands." The most decorated newcomer is Tavon Davis, who arrives with marks of 45.40, 1:15.61, and 1:49.15 and held the JUCO national record in the 600 meters. "Tavon was one of the most sought-after guys in the country," White said. "He just gets it, puts his head down and works. We're blessed to have him here." With a blend of proven sprinters and elite new additions, the Patriots expect this group to once again be a strength of the program.
 
Mid-Distance
The mid-distance core returns with championship experience and depth, anchored by Ryan Ehrler and Victor Carpeggiani. Ehrler is coming off a solid cross country season and qualified for the open 800m last outdoor season. Carpeggiani has emerged as one of the most reliable 800 and 1000 meter runners in the conference and will continue to help solidify the Patriots' relay lineups, helping the DMR to a second-place overall finish a season ago. Junior Hauke Trost brings versatility from 600 to 1000 meters and remains a key piece of Cumberlands' middle-distance success with his ability to contribute across several events. Sophomore Maddox Knight adds developing talent after a strong freshman season, giving the Patriots a veteran-led but improving mid-distance squad with strong scoring potential throughout the indoor season.
 
Distance
Cumberlands' distance unit enters the indoor season with considerable momentum after finishing third as a team at the 2024 NAIA Cross Country National Championships. Both Ishak Mekideche and Julius Mäkinnen earned All-America honors, finishing fifth and tenth overall, and both are expected to contribute immediately this winter. The group is headlined by the return of national champion Luca Madeo, who captured the NAIA 10,000-meter title last spring and owns indoor 5K title a year ago as well. With Madeo leading a pack that also includes veterans like Noah McClellan and Noah Loser, as well as promising newcomers such as Ben Beilfuss and Linus Schaller, the Patriots possess one of the deepest and most dangerous distance squads in the NAIA.
 
Racewalk
The Patriots once again bring back one of the strongest racewalk units in the NAIA, led by a trio of returners including former national champion Dillan Melchiore. The senior captured the 3,000-meter racewalk title two seasons ago and remains one of the top returners in the country. He is joined by All-Americans Cole Bennett and  Lucien Beardsley, giving Cumberlands a powerful and experienced core that is capable of scoring heavily at both the conference and national levels. Newcomer, Tomas Mencel will also add to the depth of the Patriots racewalk squad, giving them a legitimate chance to have all four representing Cumberlands at nationals in March.
 
Jumps & Multis
Sophomore Seth Massie highlights the Patriots' multi's crew following a strong campaign in 2024-25 where he qualified for outdoor nationals as a freshman. Graduate student Jelle Golbach returns to anchor the jumps and multis group after scoring consistently in the pole vault and multi-events last season. Massie and Golbach rank third and fourth all-time for the Pats with bests of 4741 and 4697 in the heptathlon. Though younger than in recent years, this group provides the Patriots with dependable scoring across multiple events and will look to push deeper into national qualifying territory as the season progresses.
 
Looking Ahead
Between indoor national champions in Madeo and Melchiore, All-Americans in Dotson, Mekideche, Mäkinnen, Bennett, Beardsley and a revitalized sprint unit powered by elite transfers, Cumberlands enters the 2025–26 indoor season with the pieces needed to contend once again for a red banner. The Patriots will blend veteran leadership with impact newcomers as they aim to build on last year's momentum and remain one of the premier programs in the NAIA.
 
They begin the journey for a national championship tomorrow, December 4^th as they travel to Montreat, NC and Lynchburg, VA for a pair of competitive meets.
 
 
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