DUDLEY, Mass. (1/22/2026) - Under the stewardship and guidance of head coach
Luke Elson. Elson, who comes from St. Mary's College of Maryland, was named the head coach for Nichols College men's and women's cross country as well as both track and field programs back in December of 2025.
The Bison are set to compete in eight total events this year, with the Conference of New England (CNE) Championship's host school and date pending. The men and women look to build on their last year's placements of 7th respectively.
Graduate student
Gregory Sadlak returns, coming off of his best cross country season yet with six broken PRs and four times in the Top-25 in the Modern Era (2013-Present.). Only appearing in two meets in 2025, he is slated to make a return to track and field in 2026.
Junior
Liam Wilcox returns as another key contributor. Wilcox set a school record for the pole vault (3.70m) during the 2025 season at the Bonnie Edmonton Classic (4/18), as well as placing 5th in the pole vault with a 3.80m jump and 5th in the long jump with a 5.97m leap at the Conference of New England Outdoor Track & Field Championship (4/25-26). Another program record for the 200m dash (24.04) was set early last spring by
Giormani Fortes De Brito, who will return as a junior. Freshman standout
Eric Manilut is under the same umbrella of contributors, appearing in 26 events for the Bison and notably placing fifth in the Placed 5th in the 100m (11.29) at the Conference of New England Outdoor Track & Field Championship (4/25-26).
The team will be without
Ryan Rispoli following his graduation, a distance runner who secured multiple top finishes during his time with Nichols.
Gabrielle McKayle will return for her sophomore year after competing as one of Nichols' most impactful athletes for the women's side. The sprinter set a school record in the 100m dash in her first-year with a 12.73 at the CNE Championships (4/25-26).
Haley Bethin also returns for her second-year for throws and shot put, marking multiple school records as well. Upperclassmen
Emma Cheffer and
Julia Fearing will return for their senior years, key veteran presences in women's track and field.
Elson and the track and field teams will begin their journey at the helm of the Nichols track and field in their competition at the Wesleyan University hosted Indoor Invite II on Saturday, January 24th at 10:00 AM.
