Wake Forest Men’s Track and Field Achieves Top-15 Finish in USTFCCCA Rankings
A Season to Remember
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – As the curtain falls on the exhilarating 2024-25 academic year, the Wake Forest men’s track and field and cross country program celebrates a remarkable achievement: a thrilling top-15 finish in the final John McDonnell Program of the Year standings. This news was unveiled by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Tuesday, reaffirming the Deacs’ status among the elite.
What is the John McDonnell Program of the Year Award?
The John McDonnell Program of the Year Award is a prestigious accolade that honors the NCAA Division I institution demonstrating superior success across multiple championships: Men’s Cross Country, Men’s Indoor Track and Field, and Men’s Outdoor Track and Field. To qualify for this coveted honor, teams must compete in and score points at all NCAA Championships, with the cumulative score determining who emerges victorious.
Stellar Performance Overview
With a stellar combined performance throughout the season, Wake Forest finished 15th in the final rankings, amassing 97.5 points. This accomplishment places the Deacs among an elite group of ONLY four men’s programs from the ACC in the top-15, alongside North Carolina, Virginia, and Virginia Tech.
Key Highlights of the Season
A Remarkable Cross Country Championship
The excitement kicked off with a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Men’s Cross Country Championships. Sophomore Charlie Sprott led the charge, earning All-American honors with a personal-best time of 29:21.6, securing an impressive 32nd place finish.
Indoor Track & Field Triumphs
During the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, Wake Forest continued to shine as senior Luke Tewalt and sophomore Rocky Hansen were both honored as First Team All-Americans. Hansen made waves by setting a new program record in the men’s indoor 5000m, finishing third with a time of 13:12.65. Tewalt wasn’t far behind, securing an eighth place in the men’s indoor 3000m final, clocking in at 7:54.42.
Outdoor Track and Field Success
As the outdoor season unfolded, the Deacs added to their accolades with four more All-Americans during the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Hansen continued to dazzle, claiming First Team All-American status after finishing fifth in the men’s 5000m final. Tewalt and freshman JoJo Jourdon also impressed, with Tewalt earning a Second Team All-American honor after a 14th place finish, while Jourdon capped off his stellar debut season with an 18th place finish.
Rynard Swanepoel, also a vital piece to the Deacs’ success, concluded his Wake Forest career on a high note, garnering Second Team All-American honors for the second consecutive season.
Looking Ahead
This thrilling finish in the John McDonnell Program of the Year standings showcases not just the talent within the program but also their tenacity and teamwork. Director of Track and Field and Cross Country John Hayes remarked, “This is a prestigious list that is tough to make. Our ability to place high at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, and then score at both the NCAA Indoor Track and Field and NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, is rare. I am confident that we will be able to place inside the top five or seven next year. This shows our commitment to our sports at the highest level.”
Final Rankings Snapshot
| Program | Total Points |
|---|---|
| Arkansas | 10 |
| Oklahoma State | 25 |
| BYU | 27 |
| North Carolina | 32 |
| Wisconsin | 40.5 |
| Oregon | 41 |
| New Mexico | 42 |
| Ole Miss | 44.5 |
| Washington | 67 |
| Villanova | 82.5 |
| Virginia | 83 |
| Iowa State | 86 |
| Virginia Tech | 94 |
| Alabama | 95.5 |
| Wake Forest | 97.5 |
Follow the Deacs!
Stay connected with all things Wake Forest men’s track and field and cross country by following them on their official outlets:
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons have proven they can compete at the highest level, and the future looks bright for this athletic powerhouse!
