SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – The Capital University track and field team opened up their 2025-26 indoor season at Wittenberg's Tiger Opener on Saturday, December 6th. There, the squad took their sprinters and field event competitors, while giving the distance runners more time to recover after the cross country season. 

In the meet, many Comets made their collegiate or Capital debuts, and immediately inserted themselves in the program history books as several events saw program top-10 marks established in the various events. 

Below is a summary of the Comets' showing in their season-opener…

WOMEN
60-meter hurdles: Maria Da Cunha qualified third in the prelims with a time of 9.51 seconds – a new personal best time. In the finals though, Da Cunha improved that time to 9.49 seconds, laying claim to the third fastest time in program history. She placed fifth in the finals heat. Jersie Papacostas placed 11th in the prelims with a time of 10.35 seconds.  

60-meter dash: Kaylee Jackson made her collegiate debut running 8.00 seconds in the shortest sprint of the day. Jackson's time was fast enough to set her fourth all-time in program history. Jaleea Harvey was next for Capital, clocking in at 8.22 seconds, a time that improves her own standing in ninth all-time at Capital. Larae Portis rounded it out for Cap with a time of 8.93 seconds. 

300-meter dash: Kaylee Jackson won the 300-meter dash race, clocking in at 40.72 seconds. Maria Da Cunha placed fifth in a time of 42.60 seconds, followed by Jaleea Harvey in seventh with a time of 45.08 seconds. 

200-meter dash: Isabella Johnson made her Comet debut in the 200, running a time of 27.52 seconds. 

Weight Throw: Mia Sanchez tossed a distance of 12.87 meters to open up her junior campaign in the weight throw. 

Pole Vault: Alex Wilkinson vaulted a new personal best height of 3.20 meters to place fourth. Her measure also moves her into a tie for third all-time in Capital indoor history. New Comet Claire Robinson vaulted 3.05 meters to place sixth. The height also moves her into a tie for seventh all-time at Cap. 

Long Jump: Jersie Papacostas placed tenth with a jump of 4.81 meters. Larae Portis finished with a jump of 4.09 meters. 

MEN
60-meter dash: Mershaud Parker made his Cap debut, clocking in at 7.04 seconds. That time was good to set him fourth all-time in program history. Leighton Kordack also made his Comet debut, clocking in at 7.15 seconds – a time that sets him 8th all-time at Capital. Nate Archibald rounded it out with a time of 7.62 seconds. 

300-meter dash: Neko Henry placed second in a time of 35.66 seconds, followed by Mershaud Parker in third in 36.12 seconds. 

200-meter dash: Demetre Wheeler made his mark in the 200-meter dash, clocking a time of 22.87 seconds which ties him for ninth all-time in program history. Nate Archibald also ran the 200, clocking a time of 25.69 seconds. 

4x400-meter relay: The 4x4 squad of Wheeler, Kordack, Archibald and Henry ran a time of 3:30.15. 

Weight Throw: Nolan Piper placed second overall with a measure of 15.98 meters. William Dodd Jr. placed 12th with a toss of 12.81 meters. 

Shot Put: Piper again finished runner-up in the shot, throwing a distance of 14.29 meters. Dodd Jr. placed ninth with a measure of 12.48 meters. 

UP NEXT
Capital will now take off for the holidays before returning to action on Friday, January 9th. There, Capital will compete at home in the newly named Wilf Schnier Alumni Classic. Capital alumni are encouraged to attend as there will be an alumni reception in the Capital Alumni House after the meet. Questions can be directed to alumni@capital.edu.