It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks as the team competed at the Mt. Sac relays and posted some more great marks leading into the Big 8 Conference Championships this coming Tuesday and Thursday. The video below is of the 4x100m as the men continue to gel as a team heading into the postseason.
The stage is set for one of the most competitive Big 8 Championships in recent years, and Merritt College enters with one of the deepest and most versatile programs in the conference. With strength across the sprints, hurdles, relays, jumps, and throws, the Panthers are positioned to be a major factor in the team race.
Merritt is built to score across multiple event groups, led by elite sprint depth, high-level field event performers, and some of the top relays in the conference.
Sprints: The Panthers’ Biggest Weapon
Merritt brings one of the deepest sprint groups in the Big 8, highlighted by five athletes ranked among the conference’s best in the 100 meters:
Ahmad Gabriel (10.68)
Jalen Rocker (10.69)
Finn Gohlke (10.70)
David Lynn Patton IV (10.72)
Ethan Browne (10.77)
In the 200 meters, Finn Gohlke leads the entire conference at 21.38, with additional scoring potential from Ahmad Gabriel and David Lynn Patton IV.
On the women’s side, Daisy Fountaine adds scoring presence in both the 100m and 200m, giving Merritt points on both sides of the sprint events.
Expect the Panthers to pile up points in the short sprints, with multiple finalists and podium threats.
400m and Relays: Championship Impact Events
Finn Gohlke (48.50) sits among the top contenders in the 400 meters, adding another key scoring opportunity.
The relays will be critical:
4x100 relay (40.65) ranked #2 in the conference
4x400 relay (3:17.52) ranked #2 in the conference
These events are major point swings, and with clean execution, Merritt has the potential to win both.
Hurdles: Strong Scoring Potential
Kahlil Powell ranks #3 in the 110m hurdles (15.04)
Reed MacCumbee ranks #2 in the 400m hurdles (55.80)
These events provide important scoring depth and could play a key role in the overall standings.
Jumps: Difference-Making Group
Merritt’s field events are led by some of the top performers in the conference:
Legend Moore (High Jump – #1, 2.05m)
Legend Moore (Long Jump – #2, 6.99m)
Jasaun Mabrey (Triple Jump – #2, 14.04m)
Additional scoring depth from Kahlil Powell and Aristotle Webber strengthens this group.
On the women’s side, Haley Watson contributes in the long jump, adding valuable points to the overall team effort.
This group has the potential to deliver multiple podium finishes and major team points.
Throws: Event Winner Potential
William Ouyang (#1 in Hammer – 53.84m) enters as the favorite
With additional contributions from the throws group, Merritt is positioned to score key points in the field.
The Panthers are one of the most balanced and dangerous programs in the Big 8
Sprint depth and relays will drive scoring
Field events provide multiple championship-level contenders
If Merritt executes across all event areas and capitalizes on its depth, the Panthers have a real opportunity to compete for the Big 8 Conference title.