In just a few months, Ohio University will open its doors once again to kick off the 2025-26 school year. Freshmen finally get the opportunity to experience what college is like on a public campus, and they also get to witness Ohio’s best athletes across all different sports play against other terrific athletes from different colleges.
The 2024-25 academic year saw many great things from several of Ohio’s sports teams, such as when Ohio’s football team took the victory against rival Miami in the 2024 Mid-American Conference Championship game.
All of Ohio’s teams have had stellar performances from all sorts of individuals, so including every single athlete who performed great last year isn’t doable for only one article. Listed below are a handful of Bobcats who took their game to the next level last year and will return this coming year.
Parker Navarro | Football
During the 2024 season, the Ohio football team wouldn’t have had the success it had without its key players, especially Parker Navarro. Navarro had 2,423 passing yards on 295 passes with 195 completions. He rushed for 1,054 yards on 160 attempts with 18 touchdowns.
Navarro is known for his many accolades. He was awarded MAC Conference Player of the Week four times, MAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Week, MAC Championship Offensive Player of the Game, MAC Second Team Offense and so on.
Navarro returning to Ohio this coming fall is a blessing for all Bobcat fans as the team will be looking to become the first school since Northern Illinois in 2012 to repeat as MAC football champions.
Skipp Miller | Softball
Miller is a dominant pitcher for Ohio’s softball team, and in 2025 she pitched in 36 games for the Bobcats. She led Ohio in many statistical categories, including ERA (2.68), strikeouts (124), saves (2) and innings pitched (169.2).
Miller was named 2025 MAC Softball Pitcher of the Year, First Team All-MAC, MAC All-Tournament and is a three-time winner of MAC Pitcher of the Week. She took her game to a new level in 2025, and she looks to go even higher next year as she spearheads another MAC softball contender.
Jackson Paveletzke | Men’s Basketball
Paveletzke really made a name for himself in the 2024-25 season. He started all 31 games for Ohio in his first season. He averaged 13.4 points a game, shot 51.2 percent from the field, 32.2 percent from three, 76.3 percent from the line, 4.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists a game.
In his first season wearing the green and white, Paveletzke achieved many personal statistical milestones. He recorded a career-high 28 points against Eastern Michigan University on Jan. 21, and he dished out another career high 12 assists at Marshall this past December. Moving forward, all eyes are on Paveletzke’s continual success playing basketball playing for Ohio.
After playing for three different schools in his first three seasons of college, playing for Wofford, Iowa State and Ohio, Paveletzke has found a home in Athens.
Scout Murray | Women’s Soccer
Murray played in 18 games and started in 11 in the 2024 season. She recorded four goals in 26 shots, which included 12 shots on goal. In the 2023 season, Murray was a leading contributor for Ohio, winning the 2023 MAC Tournament.
She had two game-winning goals, and was named the tournament MVP and was even selected to the All-Tournament Team. As a result of her amazing play, Murray became the first in program history to be named MAC Tournament MVP. Her return will mean more success for Ohio’s Women’s Soccer team.
This article can only feature so many athletes. The ones listed are incredible performers in their own right even if someone isn’t a personal fan of the sport they compete in.
It’s too early to suggest what each of these four athletes will do for their teams and for representing OU in general. However, it’s not outlandish to think they will each continue to provide only great things for their teammates and their coaches.
