He was the Pacific Coast Conference North Division long jump champion in 1938, beating a field which included Olympic medalist Mack Robinson.

[1] At the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney, Panton finished with a silver medal in the long jump.

He had sat in the gold medal position by setting a British Empire Games record, but the mark was bettered 15 minutes later by countryman Harold Brown.

[2] Panton's career was interrupted by World War II, during which time he served in the Air Force.

[1] Later in life he competed in masters swimming and won gold at the World Senior Games.