BLOOMINGTON – To win a state championship, it takes a total team effort.
That was on full display Saturday afternoon during the 10th Annual Unified Track and Field State Finals.
Elkhart had 23 different athletes score, and claimed the four-year-old school’s first state championship in any sport 124-112 over second-place Fishers.
“I am very proud of this group,” Elkhart head coach Todd Sheely said. “We lost a point or two in some spots, but picked them up in other places. I’m just so proud of these kids. We have kids that didn’t compete at all in sectionals, but came to every practice, they came to the regional and at the end of the day, if you are competing or not, if we are all together we will be more successful. Today we came together and I couldn’t be prouder.”
This is the second state title for Sheely, who was the head coach of Elkhart Memorial when they won the state title in 2018 before the school consolidated with Elkhart Central in 2021.
He said when a team can come together like the Lions did this year, it makes the success even more rewarding.
“It is definitely more special,” Sheely said. “You’re not just counting on one kid to score that goal, or throw that touchdown pass. We are counting on everybody to contribute, and we they did that today.”
Senior Kamari Hennings who won his heat of the 400 meters and is a three-time all-state athlete, said that the closeness of the team made this season extremely special.
“I am really happy with how they day went,” Hennings said. “Everyone is a big family and they are always there for each other. It makes it more special.”
The meet was held in a steady drizzle throughout the competition, adding a little adversity for the competitors.
Sheely said he was proud of the way his team handled the situation.
“We have competed in a little bit of rain and train as much as we can,” Sheely said. “We just told them no excuses. We are here at state and just go out and do your best no matter what. I am just so proud of them.”
Melquiz Maradiaga scored in both the 400 and long jump for Elkhart, and Leland Hedricks scored in the 100 and shot put, the only two Elkhart athletes to score in multiple events.
The Lions, who also claimed the Penn Sectional and Kokomo Regional titles, also got heat wins from Hedricks in the 100 and the 4×100 team of Katravon Underwood, Logan Jellison, Colin Krempec and Juvens Coleman.
Elkhart did especially well in the running events, scoring 29 points in both the 100 and 400, and 18 out of a possible 20 in the 4×100 relay.
They also scored well in the shot put.
It was part of a total team effort that had been building throughout the season.
“At the beginning of the year, we had 20 new kids on the team and I wasn’t quite sure how they would all bond together,” Sheely said. “But they were amazing all year and this was a really special team.”
Fishers earned the runner-up trophy for the second time, also placing second in 2021.
10th Annual IHSAA Unified Track & Field State Finals
June 1, 2024
Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex, Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana
| Top 10 Teams | |
| 1. Elkhart | 124 |
| 2. Fishers | 112 |
| 3. Valparaiso | 102 |
| 4. McCutcheon | 89 |
| T5. Bloomington South | 88 |
| T5. Pendleton Heights | 88 |
| T5. Noblesville | 88 |
| 8. Homestead | 82 |
| 9. Westfield | 81 |
| 10. Hobart | 77 |
| 11. Bloomington North | 76 |
| 12. Indian Creek | 71 |
Gavin Adams and Peyton Shute of Bloomington High School South awarded Bobby Cox Spirit of Unified Mental Attitude Award
At the conclusion of the Unified State Finals, the IHSAA Executive Committee presented Gavin Adams and Peyton Shute of Bloomington South High School the Bobby Cox Spirit of Unified Mental Attitude Award.
This award is presented annually to an athlete and partner athlete participating in the state finals. It is named in honor of Bobby Cox, who served as the IHSAA’s eighth commissioner from 2011 to 2020, whose embrace of the Champions Together Initiative led to the establishment of Unified Flag Football and Unified Track and Field as IHSAA sports.
An athlete, nominated by their principal and coach, must excel in mental attitude, joy, courage, self-advocacy, and commitment during their time in high school. A partner athlete, also nominated by their principal and coach, must excel in mental attitude, inclusive behavior, courage, advocacy, and commitment during their time in high school.