After transferring in from Miami (Ohio) to play soccer and run track, Rick Merola became one of the most versatile and accomplished athletes in the history of Otterbein. He remains on the top-10 lists in six different events; second in high jump, third in decathlon, eighth in 200 meters, ninth in long jump; fifth in 4 x 100m relay, and ninth in the 4 x 400m relay. Rick also won three individual titles in the Ohio Athletic Conference, including the indoor long jump in 1987 on his sixth and final attempt. The highlight of Rick’s career was finishing third at the 1987 NCAA Indoor Championships to earn All-American status.