ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan University men's cross country team will welcome a large class of 15 first-year runners this fall.
The incoming class includes student-athletes from six states and six runners from Ohio. The Redhawks have won nine consecutive East Coast Conference championships and Director of Cross Country and Track & Field
Andrew Dorr is excited about the newest additions to the program.
"We do have a wide range of ability within the newcomers, but every year we have guys develop from what you might call a 'mediocre high-school runner' into a 'contributing, successful college runner,'" Dorr said. "The fact that we have 15 new runners in itself is a great predictor of good things to come. The more guys you have, the more likely you are to have some diamonds in the rough or guys who develop very nicely and become stars in the future."
Roberts opens its season on Saturday at the Daemen Alumni Classic.
Let's meet the newest Redhawks:
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Parma, Ohio
High school: Valley Forge
Major: Undecided
Before Roberts: Named 2024 Male Athlete of the Year at Valley Forge High School … Set school record in 5k … 2023 Regional qualifier … 2023 first-team GLC all-conference selection.
Why I chose Roberts: "I wanted to be on a team that challenged and supported me."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "I really enjoyed the team bonding experiences like meat night and camping."
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Frewsburg, N.Y.
High school: Frewsburg
Major: Exercise Science
Before Roberts: Qualified for state cross country meet as a junior and senior … Earned All-Western New York honors as a senior … Won Section VI indoor team championships in 2020, '22, '23 and '24 … Won Section VI outdoor team championship in 2023.
Why I chose Roberts: "Because of the camaraderie not only within the team but on campus."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "I've enjoyed meeting new people and their various different personalities."
Year: Freshman
Hometown: New Albany, Ohio
High school: New Albany
Major: Biology
Before Roberts: Qualified for regionals in cross country as a senior … 2024 indoor state qualifier in 4-by-800 relay.
Why I chose Roberts: "Roberts has the resources to push me every day in athletics and academics."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "Everyone is friendly, and the community is extremely close and supportive."
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Green, Ohio
High school: Green
Major: Exercise Science
Before Roberts: Four-time letter winner … Second-team Federal League selection in 800 and 1,600 his final three seasons … Qualified for districts in cross country … Named Scholar-Athlete his junior and senior years.
Why I chose Roberts: "for the great team camaraderie and overall phenomenal program."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "I've really enjoyed spending time with the team and getting to know each and every one of them and enjoying the season as it continues."
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Churchville, N.Y.
High school: Northstar Christian Academy
Major: Engineering
Before Roberts: National Honor Society member … Cross country team captain.
Why I chose Roberts: "It has the major I wanted and had other benefits surrounding it, such as internships."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "Encouragement from teammates and support/reassurance from professors regarding classes."
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Fort Recovery, Ohio
High school: Fort Recovery
Major: Biochemistry and Mathematics
Before Roberts: Salutatorian of his senior class … Three-time state qualifier in cross country and track and field.
Why I chose Roberts: "Because of the academic and athletic opportunities it provided. They have the resources to help me achieve God's plan for me."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "I've enjoyed getting to know the team and the various unique personalities. Everyone has been extremely welcoming and it has made for the best possible atmosphere for me to push myself to be the best I can for the team. I especially enjoyed the preseason talent show, which encapsulated the camaraderie and amazing people in this program."
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Canton, Ohio
High school: McKinley
Major: Engineering and Physics
Before Roberts: Four-year letterman in cross country and track and field … Qualified for districts in cross country, the 1,600 and 4-by-800 relay all four years from 2021-24.
Why I chose Roberts because: "Everyone is so welcoming and so willing to push me towards improvement at any given time."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "I've really enjoyed being able to meet new people and being able to do what I love (running) at the same time."
Charlie Matzke
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Glencoe, Minn.
High school: Home schooled
Major: Exercise Science
Before Roberts: Named all-conference in cross country … Made Dean's list at Crown College while participating in dual enrollment.
Why I chose Roberts: "After an overnight with the team last summer I really loved the culture and wanted to be a part of it."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "My experience with my teammates so far has been great. I specifically enjoyed the camping trip we took together during preseason where I was able to get to know everyone a lot better.
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Medford, N.J.
High school: Shawnee
Major: Accounting
Before Roberts: Two-time team captain in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track … Two-time state qualifier in cross country and outdoor track … Olympic Conference Scholar-Athlete Award winner.
Why I chose Roberts: "I liked the small school environment, and felt like I really clicked with the cross country team when I visited."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "Getting to know my teammates better has really been the highlight of my Roberts experience so far; I feel like I have really gotten to know them better even though it has only been a short time. That along with the dining hall food have been the best parts of my experience."
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Shavertown, Pa.
High school: Holy Redeemer
Major: Computer Science
Before Roberts: Two-time Wyoming Vallery Conference all-star qualified for states in both state qualifier in cross country and track and field … Two-time
Citizens Voice All-Star … Two-time District medalist in cross country and track and field … Finished second in District in 4-by-800 relay.
Why I chose Roberts: "I liked the small campus … I really liked the cross country coach. I just felt like when I met with him I just wanted to be coached by someone like him."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "The people, my dorm suite, all the facilities and nice buildings."
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Lockport, N.Y.
High school: Lockport
Major: Music Education
Before Roberts: Five-time Niagara Frontier League All-Star … NISCA Academic All-American … 2023 NYSSMA All- State Vocal Jazz member … Three-time cross country league team champions … Two-time track and field league champions … All-Western New York Scholar Athlete.
Why I chose Roberts: "They have a great music program and I wanted to be a part of the running culture that Coach Dorr has built."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "I've enjoyed meeting my new teammates and the team atmosphere is really great."
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Magnolia, Del.
High school: Caesar Rodney
Major: Art Education
Before Roberts: Finished 13
th to earn all-state cross country honors … Team finished second at states.
Why I chose Roberts: "I enjoyed the people in the running program and Coach Dorr seemed like a coach I could trust with my best development going into college."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "The team camaraderie is something that I have never seen before."
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Lockport, N.Y.
High school: Lockport
Major: Business Administration
Before Roberts: Received nine-sport award … Honor Roll student.
Why I chose Roberts: "My friend was coming to Roberts and I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to improve upon myself as an athlete and a follower of Christ."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "The friends I've made during cross country and I can get food pretty much whenever I want."
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Irondequoit, N.Y.
High school: Charles Finney
Major: Exercise Science
Before Roberts: Set school records in the mile and 4-by-800 run … Team captain received Most Important Player and Coaches' Award in track … Team captain and Most Improved Player in football … Played trombone in All-County Band … Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Civil Air Patrol.
Why I chose Roberts: "The Christian Community, it is close to home, and to help figure out what career I want to pursue."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "Coach Dorr is a great coach. His instructions for running and training are clear and top-notch, his spiritual/character leadership is precise and impactful and he is a leader on the same level as the rest of the team. I am feeling confident in the team, the community, and my ability to get better as a runner."
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Bloomdale, Ohio
High school: Elmwood
Major: Business Administration
Before Roberts: Qualified for states in cross country as a senior … Two-time regional qualifier in cross country …
Holds Elmwood High School record in 3,200 run … Three-time regional qualifier in 3,200, two-time qualifier in 1,600 … Qualified for states in 1,600 meters as a senior.
Why I chose Roberts: "Because it is a dry campus and that was something I was really looking for in a college. Coach Dorr he seems like someone who I could trust coaching me during my college career."
Best thing I like about being at Roberts: "The small campus and that everything is in close walking distance. I also have enjoyed the friendliness of all the athletes on the cross country team in welcoming me and the other freshmen."
