The Waynesburg University Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track & Field teams traveled to Youngstown, Ohio on Feb. 26 to compete in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championship.

The Indoor Track & Field PAC Championship was held at Youngstown State University’s Watson and Tressel Training Site in Youngstown, Ohio. The Men’s team finished 10th out of 11 teams while the Women finished seventh out of 11.

Junior Jacob Harker competed in his third PAC Championship. Harker defended his title in the Shot Put event, this time winning by almost an entire meter. Harker finished the Shot Put with a first place 15.53 meters. 

“This win is just as good as last year’s,” Harker said. “The amount of work Coach Thacker and I put into this offseason is really showing so it feels great. Getting to go out and compete against some great competition is always fun and a test to show what distances I can really hit. The championships always bring the best out in me, so it’s always fun to just go out there and toss some big ones.”

Harker said he throws his heart out to his team for all of his success in these field events. 

“I wouldn’t be where I am right now without the team and coaches I have around me. The amount of support I get day in and day out is truly amazing,” Harker said. “They are all so supportive, and they are there no matter what. I know I will always have someone in my corner, especially the throws squad.”

Sophomore Ethan Wilson competed in his second PAC Championship as a Waynesburg University Yellow Jacket. This time around Wilson finished seventh in the Men’s one-mile and crossed with a personal best four minutes 27.63 seconds. 

“It’s huge. I knew I was an underdog in the field. Last year I ran 4:45 and got 16th. Crazy what one year can do,” Wilson said. “The 4:30 barrier is a big one for a miler. Getting under is a major confidence boost. I took the lead with 400m to go and got hawked in the last 100m which definitely makes the race feel bittersweet knowing how close I was to gold. Grateful for it for sure.”

Wilson is very appreciative of the people that he is surrounded by and is honored to be able to be supported by his peers.

“For the most part the team is really supportive. A lot of the WU team wants to see their team compete well and it’s good to know that you have people that want to see you perform and you want to see them perform as well. I would say the team especially on the distance side is pretty close knit. That’s a special thing for sure. It has been a dream of mine to compete at the collegiate level,” Wilson said.

Freshman Miracle Hershey competed in her first PAC Championship. Hershey finished fifth in the Women 60m Finals and ran a personal best time of 8.16 seconds, earning herself a spot on the platform.

“It feels amazing! Being predicted to be on the podium feels amazing but getting on the podium and doing better than predicted is the best feeling!” Hershey said. “I’m glad that I got to experience it and now that I have a little taste of being on the podium I’m going to work extra hard next year to try and be top three.” 

Hershey was quick to show love and support for the athletes that are behind her every step. 

“My Waynesburg teammates are very encouraging. When you don’t do good you always have someone to comfort and reassure you,” Hershey said. “Coach Hardie always makes sure that everyone is doing okay. Coach Lube has always made it so that I’m semi confident before I race and he checks back in with me to reassure me or critic in a good way.”

Junior Ella Rishell competed in her third PAC Championship with Waynesburg University. Rishell competed in five total events and finished in a podium spot in four of them.

“It was a very busy day for me, pushing my body to the limit. However, seeing all the effort, sweat, and tears I put into this season finally pay off was a very prideful moment for me,” Rishell said. “It was a feeling of overwhelming joy and just genuine love for the sport. I am proud of my performance today and look forward to what the next season brings me.”

With Rishell may be competing out on the track as a lone Yellow Jacket, she knows that she has people behind her every step of the way.

“Competing with the teams around me drives me to be a better athlete. The girls I compete with are such talented athletes, there is always a challenge to be the best,” Rishell said. “I have been blessed to have some of the most supportive teammates as well, they know how to bring the energy to meets, constantly cheering each other on.”

According to an email from Harker, the team is looking to forgo the Ohio Northern University Polar Bear Final Qualifier. Meaning that the PAC Championship was both the men’s and women’s teams final Indoor Track & Field meet of the 2026 season. Both teams look to the Outdoor Track & Field season which begins on March 21.