FEATURE: From Scratch to Standout: Devin Dennison’s Relentless Rise Strengthens Ferris State Track and Field Team

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – Devin Dennison might not have arrived at Ferris State as a polished, can't-miss prospect, but his journey proves it's not how someone starts—it's how they finish.

An Alma native, Dennison has worked to build himself into that finished product—rep by rep, throw by throw, and day by day. And for him, success extends beyond the field.

A standout thrower for the Bulldogs, Dennison has chased growth relentlessly, driven to succeed in athletics competitions and in the classroom within the College of Engineering Technology.

"Honestly, in high school, I never considered myself one of the top athletes," Dennison said. "I had to build myself up from nothing."

That mindset became his foundation.

"What drove me was the desire to become one of the best at something and to earn that through effort," Dennison said. "Watching others succeed motivated me. Each time I saw someone excel, I reminded myself that if I kept working, I could reach that level too."

While his athletic development has proved steady, choosing Ferris State was also heavily rooted in academics and his professional future.

"I originally looked at Ferris State for its academic programs," Dennison said. "I'm pursuing degrees in Mechanical Engineering Technology and Manufacturing Engineering Technology, and FSU is highly ranked in both."

Dennison's campus visit confirmed the fit was right.

"When I visited campus, I was impressed by the professors, the hands-on lab spaces and the curriculum," he said. "Everything just felt right."

That fit has translated into steady progress in competition as the hard work is paying off.

At GVSU in late January, Dennison placed sixth in the weight throw (63-11.5), meeting the NCAA Division II provisional qualifying standard.

Among his season highlights was a third-place finish and All-GLIAC honors in the men's weight throw, recording a mark of 65-4.

With the weather outside in northern Michigan beginning to feel more like spring, reflecting on the indoor campaign, Dennison feels proud of his progress.

"My indoor season went really well. I've improved my weight throw mark from 18 meters to just under 20 meters, which made me second all-time in school history and ranked 22nd in the nation," he said. "For the rest of the season, my focus is on continuing to improve my technique, strength, and consistency. I also hope to compete unattached a few times this outdoor season to see how I perform after more training."

The finish to the season was especially gratifying.

"I finished third at the GLIAC Championship and hit a personal record," Dennison said. "I was a little disappointed to just miss qualifying for nationals, but overall, I'm excited about my progress and motivated to keep building on it."

He added, "My biggest highlight was the conference championship meet. I came in seeded sixth in the weight throw, hit a new personal record, and finished third overall."

Being honored by the conference was another point of pride.

"Standing on the podium was a great moment—it felt like all the preseason training and hard work had truly paid off," Dennison said.

His approach reflects the same commitment across all areas.

"I'm working toward a double bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology and Manufacturing Engineering Technology," he said. "Both programs are challenging, but my professors are incredibly supportive and knowledgeable, which helps a lot. I'm on track to finish both degrees within the next two years."

With plenty left to accomplish at Ferris State, Dennison is still shaping what's next.

"My goal is to work as an engineer, but I'd also like to keep throwing and competing occasionally," he said. "I try not to overthink the future—I focus on doing as much as I can right now because none of us really know where life will take us after graduation."

It's a mindset that has defined his journey—from an unheralded high school athlete to one of Ferris State's top throwers.

Built, not born, Dennison continues to put in the work as he shapes his future.

The Bulldog Track and Field squad will compete this week starting on Thursday (April 30) at the GLIAC Outdoor Championships in Allendale.