BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - The FDU Men's Track and Field team was picked fifth in the NEC Track and Field Preseason Poll, as the conference announced this morning. 

"With the addition of two new programs, I anticipate a highly competitive conference championship in February. The men's team boasts depth across all event disciplines, which will boad well for us come February," Ella G. Stratis Head Coach of Cross Country and Track and Field Wesley Stephens said.

Defending champion Central Connecticut State was picked as the top team in the NEC for the 2025-26 indoor season, as the Blue Devils received eight of the ten possible first place votes in the poll. Wagner recieved a first place vote, which bolstered them into the second place spot, and the Stonehill Skyhawks rounded out the top three. The full poll is below. 

1. CCSU (8) 
2. Wagner (1)
3. Stonehill
4. Chicago State
T5. FDU
T5. LIU (1)
7. Saint Francis
8. New Haven
9. Le Moyne
10. Mercyhurst

The Knights are coming off of a sixth place finish at the conference meet a season ago, being bested by Saint Francis for fifth by just a half of a point. FDU is returning plenty of talent from the 2024-25 squad to this year's team including the 2025 NEC Indoor High Jump Champion, sophomore Ethan Ruffin.

FDU is also bringing back All NEC Cross Country Team member Chase Lopez, who finished third last year in the Men's 800 meter race in his freshman season. Jayden Ekoko was another Knight that placed in the top three at the NEC Indoor Championships last season, as he took third in the Men's Triple Jump, Ekoko is also returning to the Knights for his sophomore season. 

After a dominant performance at the season opening meet, the Knights Midweek Clash, FDU will be back in action Saturday at the Youree Spence-Garcia Invitational at the Ocean Breeze Track Complex. Action from Staten Island is set to start at 4 p.m.