Men's Track and Field 1/17/2025 12:50:00 PM

Men’s Track & Field - 2025 Preview

Palatine, IL: As the Harper Hawks gear up for the 2025 men's track and field season, the program finds itself in a promising position. Coming off a strong 4th-place finish at the 2024 NJCAA DIII National Championships, the Hawks aim to continue their upward trajectory, building on recent success while facing tough competition from regional powerhouses like College of DuPage and Joliet Junior College.

Growing Depth and Momentum
The program has rebounded significantly from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. With rosters steadily growing—from 13 athletes in 2022 to over 35 in 2025—the Hawks are establishing a solid foundation across all event groups. This year's roster includes 12 returning athletes, many of whom played pivotal roles in last year's success, along with a talented group of over 20 new additions.

Returning All-Americans Alek Ledezma, Lucas McMillan, Iliia Niku, Fortis Variano, Owen Whelan, and Dakota White provide leadership and experience. Ledezma's school record of 22.78 in the indoor 200m and the 4x400m relay team's record-setting performance of 3:30.66 highlight the team's potential in sprints and relays. With additional returners like Edwin Amaro, Tyler Anderson, Gianluca Manuel, Devin Patel, Jason Schmidt, and Carter Swearingen, the Hawks have the experience and depth needed to stay competitive.

Promising New Recruits
Harper's recruiting pipeline continues to thrive, pulling talent from the Mid-Suburban League and expanding to other strong conferences across Illinois. Several newcomers have the potential to make an immediate impact, particularly in events where the Hawks are looking to close the gap on their rivals.

Short sprinters Ivan Rodriguez and Jaylen Calhoun bring speed, with Calhoun also contributing in high jump and long jump. The long sprints group, bolstered by Justin Brown, Joel Jones, Anthony LoBue, and others, could challenge both indoor and outdoor 4x400m relay records. Brown and Andrew Rashad add versatility with strong jumping capabilities.

The hurdles and jumps events are seeing a major boost, with Anthony Barcenas, Prince Ellington, and Tyler Thymian joining the hurdles squad, and jumpers like Shamar Allwood, Seth Cohen, and Sean Holcombe adding firepower to the field events. Throwers Hunter Matuch and Rodolfo Martinez provide depth alongside returning standout Ilia Niku, giving the team a chance to contend for individual titles in the throws.

Mid-Distance and Distance Talent
The mid-distance and distance squads remain a key strength for Harper, with returning runners like Whelan and White anchoring the team. New recruits, including Connor Ariunbat and Jerome Graessle—both cross-country All-Americans in 2024—add talent and depth. This group will play a crucial role in the Hawks' overall scoring potential, particularly in the NJCAA Championships.

Tough Competition Ahead
The road to the top won't be easy. Regional rival College of DuPage enters the season as a dominant force, having won four consecutive national championships. Joliet Junior College, which edged out Harper for 3rd place in 2024, remains another formidable opponent. Additionally, the Hawks regularly compete against strong four-year programs like North Central College and Olivet Nazarene University, providing valuable experience against high-level competition.

Leadership on and off the Track
Head coach Jim Macnider, now in his sixth season, continues to lead the Hawks with a steady hand. Supported by a veteran coaching staff, including Renee Zellner—who has been with the program for over four decades—the Hawks benefit from a wealth of experience and expertise. Additional support will be provided by John Majerus in his sixth season, Tyler Block and Dianne Barajas in their fourth, and Joseph McCormick in his first. The addition of a strength and conditioning coach underscores the program's commitment to building well-rounded athletes.

Outlook for 2025
While unseating College of DuPage as regional and national champions may be a tall order, the Hawks are well-positioned to close the gap. With a blend of experienced returners and promising newcomers, Harper has the depth and versatility needed to contend in multiple event areas. If the team can maintain consistency and capitalize on its strengths, another top-four finish—and perhaps a podium spot—is within reach.
As the season approaches, the Harper Hawks are poised to make 2025 a year of progress, resilience, and memorable performances.

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Players Mentioned

Edwin Amaro: Mid-Dist.; Sophomore

Tyler Anderson: Sprints; Sophomore

Alek Ledezma: Sophomore; 100m, 200m

Gianluca Manuel: Sophomore; 100m, 200m

Lucas McMillan: Sophomore; Pole Vault, 100m, 200m, 400m

Devin Patel: Sophomore; 100m, 200m

Jason Schmidt: Sophomore; 800m, 1500m, Steeplechase

Carter Swearingen: Redshirt Sophomore; 800m

Fortis Variano: Sophomore; 200m, 400m, Relays

Owen Whelan: Sophomore; 1500m, 5k

Dakota White: Sophomore; 800m, 1500m

Connor Ariunbat: Mid Dist.; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Edwin Amaro
: Sophomore
: Mid-Dist.

Tyler Anderson
: Sophomore
: Sprints

Alek Ledezma
: Sophomore; 100m, 200m

Gianluca Manuel
: Sophomore; 100m, 200m

Lucas McMillan
: Sophomore; Pole Vault, 100m, 200m, 400m

Devin Patel
: Sophomore; 100m, 200m

Jason Schmidt
: Sophomore; 800m, 1500m, Steeplechase

Carter Swearingen
: Redshirt Sophomore; 800m

Fortis Variano
: Sophomore; 200m, 400m, Relays

Owen Whelan
: Sophomore; 1500m, 5k

Dakota White
: Sophomore; 800m, 1500m

Connor Ariunbat
: Freshman
: Mid Dist.