Colgate Track & Field is entering the final stretch of its 2025–26 season as the Raiders prepare for the Penn Relays on April 23. The team has found success across both the indoor and outdoor seasons, building momentum through consistent performances and key individual breakthroughs. As competition intensifies, Colgate will look to carry that progress into one of the most competitive meets of the year, where both experienced athletes and emerging contributors have the opportunity to make an impact.
Ahead of competition at the UAlbany Spring Classic and the Virginia Challenge on April 17 and 18, junior Dakin Ebmeyer emphasized the importance of these meets in shaping the team’s postseason outlook.
“It is a big opportunity for the team at both meets to prove that they can compete at the conference championships,” Ebmeyer said. “It is the last big weekend we have for everyone to compete, which is exciting, so I am eager to see how everyone steps up to try and perform to continue their season into May.”
At UAlbany, multiple athletes earned first-place finishes, including sophomore Ava Kletti in the 5000 meters, junior Whitney Smith in the javelin throw and Dakin Ebmeyer in the 1500 meters. At Virginia, sophomore Nell Droege ran the 10,000 meters in 35:42.95, earning a silver medal for the Raiders. Additionally, junior Melinda Haagensen brought home bronze in the pole vault.
Ebmeyer discussed how the team’s strong indoor season has set the tone for the outdoor slate.
“I think the season so far has been one of growth and taking it one step at a time,” Ebmeyer said. “Coming off a pretty successful indoor season, we knew we wanted to capitalize on that work and continue through the outdoor season. We have gone to some very competitive meets and local meets, so we have seen a lot of different competition in addition to setting many PRs as a team.”
Senior captain Clare Gillis also emphasized how the group’s unity has been a defining strength throughout the season.
“The team’s biggest strength has definitely been our connections across event groups,” Gillis said. “We have grown together and are always cheering each other on, which helps us stay locked in and excited for every race.”
Gillis also reflected on her own season as a veteran member of the program.
“My season individually has definitely been a journey,” Gillis said. “Coming back from an injury, I’m just grateful to be competing and to be back with the team, traveling to meets I was not able to go to this time last year.”
With the senior class approaching the end of its final season, the team also highlighted the impact of younger athletes who have begun to emerge in key roles. Sophomore thrower Travis Rusak and Ebmeyer pointed to two first-years who have made an immediate impact.
“Two freshmen that have had an early impact are Joel Douzanis and Sam Pellerin,” Rusak said.
“They both went to indoor Patriot League Championships and will be going to the outdoor event as well,” Ebmeyer added. “It has been exciting to see because we have not had many throwers during my time here.”
Both Rusak and Ebmeyer emphasized the versatility of Douzanis and Pellerin, as well as their ability to perform in high-pressure moments.
Looking ahead, the men’s and women’s teams will travel to the Penn Relays at the University of Pennsylvania from April 23–25. They will then compete in their final regular-season meet at the Larry Ellis Invitational at Princeton University on May 1–2, before concluding the season at the Patriot League Outdoor Championships on May 15–16. Those who find success at the conference level will have the opportunity to advance to the NCAA East First Round in Lexington, Ky., followed by the NCAA Division I Championships in Eugene, Ore.
