The Ohio Dominican Panthers track and field team competed successfully at the Otterbein Twilight, with standout performances that included two event victories and a school record. Merrick Shorter set a new school record in the 5000 meters, while Peyton Proffitt's pole vault performance ranked among the best all-time. The men鈥檚 team finished 14th out of 23 with 17 points, and the women鈥檚 team secured 13th out of 19 with 12 points. Overall, seven marks were recorded qualifying for the top ten in program history.

By the Numbers
  • Merrick Shorter clocked 14:55.97 in the 5000 meters, setting a new school record.
  • Peyton Proffitt vaulted 3.90 meters, marking the 6th best all-time at the school.
State of Play
  • The men scored 17 points, placing 14th out of 23 teams.
  • The women earned 12 points, finishing 13th out of 19 teams.
  • Seven performances qualified for top ten records in the program鈥檚 history.
What's Next

The Panthers are set to compete at the Denison Big Red Invitational next Friday, prior to the 2026 Great Midwest Championship. This upcoming event will provide an opportunity to further improve their standings and record times.

Bottom Line

With two event victories and multiple top ten records at the Otterbein Twilight, the Panthers' track and field team demonstrated their competitive edge and readiness for upcoming championships. Key athletes like Shorter and Proffitt are pivotal as the season progresses.