HARRISONBURG, Va.- The sprinters, runners, jumpers and throwers of EMU Track & Field are making final preparations to get their 2025-26 campaign started this week at the Liberty Kickoff on Thursday-Friday, Dec. 4-5. For the second year in a row, the Royals will play host to the ODAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships this April at their on-campus facility that opened just last year.
 
Before they step onto the track, let's preview the indoor and outdoor seasons ahead for the Royal athletes.

Head Coach:  Kyle Dickinson – Sixth Season

2024-25 in Review
Men
ODAC Indoor Finish: 9th (13 pts.)
ODAC Outdoor Finish: 6th (49.5 pts.)
Nick Arnold: ODAC Outdoor Champion in the 400m Hurdles
 
Women
ODAC Indoor Finish: 9th (3 pts.)
ODAC Outdoor Finish: 8th (27 pts.)

Schedule Highlights
Indoor Season
Liberty Kickoff: Thursday-Friday, Dec. 4-5
JDL Fast Track Banked is Better Invite: Sunday, Jan. 25
Rockingham Collegiate Classic: Friday, Feb. 20
ODAC Indoor Track & Field Championships: Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 28-March 1 in Salem, Va.
NCAA DIII Indoor Track & Field Championship: Friday-Saturday, March 13-14 in Birmingham, Ala.
Outdoor Season
Washington & Lee Carnival: Friday-Saturday, March 20-21
VertKlasse Meeting: Friday-Saturday, April 3-4
EMU Heritage Invitational: Thursday-Friday, April 9-10
ODAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships: Friday-Saturday, April 24-25, hosted by EMU
NCAA DIII Outdoor Track & Field Championships: Thursday-Sunday, May 21-24 in La Crosse, Wis.
Full Schedule

Key Losses (Men): Bellamy Immanuel, Grant Leichty, Damon Morgan 
Key Returners (Men):  Nick Arnold, Shaddai Bailey, Micah Mast, Da'Shawn Winters
Key Losses (Women): Halie Mast, Aldora Tuilaepa, Jenna Weaver
Key Returners (Women): Angel David, Lily Gatesman, Faith Schultz
Full Roster (Men)
Full Roster (Women)

Outlook: Coach Dickinson has brought in a great recruiting class to complement a solid core of returning talent for the Royals. The hurdles and the throws project to be strong events, especially in the men's side. In addition to reigning 400mH ODAC champ Arnold, Bailey and Micah Mast also bring back experience in the hurdles, along with the addition of first-year Filipo Toelau, who as an All-State hurdler at nearby Harrisonburg High School. In the throws, incoming first-year Koran Rucker, who was a three-time state champion, will look to be an immediate contributor. On the women's side, Addison Shanholtz and Tinyia Terrell are first-years on a team that will bring back key contributors in the field events. Both the men's and women's teams are well-positioned to trend upward in the ODAC in 2025-26.