Luca Merita Claims Decathlon Title at #HLTF Championships

Saturday, May 9

Rochester, Mich.

Purdue Fort Wayne

Horizon League Outdoor Championship

Luca Merita

Photo by: Robert Hayes

Luca Merita Claims Decathlon Title at #HLTF Championships

5/9/2026 7:55:00 PM | Men's Track and Field

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ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Purdue Fort Wayne men's track and field program pushed through the second day of the 2026 Horizon League Outdoor Championships on Saturday (May 9).

Luca Merita claimed his first Horizon League title of his career, taking victory in the final event. The Germany native tallied a school record 6234 points through the last two days, setting personal records in the 110 meter hurdles (17.12) and 1500 meters (5:14.51).

The Mastodon throwers continued to add points towards the Purdue Fort Wayne total in day two. Josiah Bird placed fifth in the shot put with a 15.14 meter throw and freshman Max Parciak took seventh with a 14.74 meter toss.

Colten Gasson closed out the second day of the meet with an eighth place finish in the 3000 meter steeplechase, running a personal record 9:27.06.

The 'Dons currently sit in second place, holding a total of 48 points. Youngstown State holds a firm grip of first place with 94 points. Milwaukee trails the Mastodons with 36 points.

Two Purdue Fort Wayne sprinters secured a pair of final events to compete in during the last day of the meet. Ezra Lewellen (10.78) and Noah Morris (10.88) each won their heat in the 100 meter dash, finishing with the two fastest times in the preliminary round. The two speedsters returned to the track to claim a spot in the 200 meter dash final. Both 'Dons competed in the third heat, Morris (21.97) won the heat and Lewellen (22.29) took the second secured spot of the race.

Freshman Kale Seymour used a late push to pull away in the third heat of the 800 meters, locking in a finals position with a 1:54.43 time.

Cainen Northington took the eighth fastest 400 meter dash time in the preliminary round, finishing in 49.78 to claim a position in the final.

Bird (HT), Tyler Bowman (HT), Hunter Crew (HT), Sam Dunnett (1500m, 5000m), Colten Gasson (5000m), Dalyn Givens (PV), Denton Jacobs (HT), Owen Kaufman (HT), Lewellen (100m, 200m), Jackson Marshall (5000m), Merita (PV), Morris (100m, 200m), Northington (400m), Andrew Roman (PV), Sawyer Ruminer (PV), Seymour (800m) and Jack Strong (1500m) will all compete on the final day of the 2026 Horizon League Outdoor Championships (May 10).

~ Feel the Rumble ~