IR TRACK AND FIELD PREVIEWS!

GIRLS FIELD EVENTS 2026 PREVIEW

To start 2026, we’re previewing all 16 events heading into the track & field season. Performances listed reflect an athlete’s best mark on TFFRS from last season. We also have accompanying podcasts that can be heard on Apple or Spotify.

High Jump (8 returning medalists)

Karsyn Buck - 12 - Northview - 2nd at state - 5’8

Kira Smith - 11 - Warren Central - 3rd at state - 5’10

Makayla Ketterer - 12 - Harrison (WL) - 4th at state - 5’7

Waverly Woolever - 12 - Hamilton Heights - 5th at state - 5’7.25

Riley Rarick - 12 - Borden - 6th at state - 5’8.5

Charlotte Dudick - 12 - Chatard - 7th at state - 5’6

Peyton Denagall - 11 - Avon - 8th at state - 5’6

Addison Martin - 12 - Franklin - 9th at state - 5’5.75

Of note: 

Callie Alston - 12 - Orleans - 5’7.5

Claire Townsend - 11 - Evansville North - 5’7

Outlook: The graduation of Heritage Christian star Kya Crooke opens the field up quite a bit. Warren junior Kira Smith probably enters the season as the favorite. She was third each of the last two years and has the best PR of the field at 5’10. Northview senior Karsyn Buck is the top returner from the state meet having beat Smith on the tiebreaker there. Along with Smith, Hamilton Heights senior Waverly Woolever and Boren senior Riley Rarick are looking for a third podium finish in this event. Fort Wayne Carroll senior Bailey Sinish could also earn a third medal, though she was not on the podium in this even last year after an abbreviated season.

Pole vault (4 returning medalists)

Emma Baker - 12 - Northwestern - 2nd at state - 11’9

Addison Martin - 12 - Franklin - 3rd at state - 12’11.75

Katherine Woebkneb - 10 - Jasper - 7th at state - 11’6

Makenna Carpenter - 12 - Cathedral - 9th at state - 11’6

Of note:

Amelia Smith - 11 - Guerin - 12’6

Scarlett Olson - 11 - Fishers - 12’0

Piper Swart - 12 - Cathedral - 11’9

Cecelia Melloh - 11 - Cathedral - 11’6

Outlook: Franklin senior Addison Martin had the best clearances during the regular season and finished third in state. Perhaps splitting her attention between the vault and high jump, an event she also earned a medal, makes it difficult to maximize potential in the massive fields at the state finals. Martin’s 13’0 clearance is tied for tenth all-time. Guerin junior Amelia Smith also enters the season as a contender, having eclipsed 13’3 indoors in height that ranks sixth all-time, though she no-heighted at the state meet last spring. Only four athletes return from the podium in what is likely the most technical event in high school track, though Jasper’s Katherin Woebkneb did finish on the podium as a freshman last year. Cathedral senior Makenna Carpenter is looking for a fourth consecutive medal in this event, and her teammates Piper Swart and Cecelia Melloh also qualified for state in 2025.

Long Jump (6 returning medalists)

Elnora Stephenson - 12 - Whiteland - 2nd at state - 19’0

Milyn Kirsh - 11 - Avon - 3rd at state - 18’6

Za’Nariae White - 10 - Terre Haute North - 4th at state - 19’2.5

Kennedy Stephens - 11 - Highland - 6th at state - 18’5.75

Lydia Goodsell - 11 - John Glenn - 8th at state - 18’8.5

Niamyah Anderson - 11 - FW Northrop - 9th at state - 18’1

Of note:

Aubree Adams - 12 - Corydon Central - 18’7.25

Reese Backus - 10 - Delta - 18’5.25

Emmy Saliba - 10 - Springs Valley - 18’4.5

Jillian Barr - 12 - Delta - 18’4.5

Lyla Conway - 12 - Floyd Central - 18’3.75

Jaidyn Kimbrough - 10 - SB Adams - 18’3.25

Analise Smartt - 10 - FW Homestead - 18’3

Outlook: Whiteland senior Elnora Stephenson has been 8th, 4th and 2nd over the last three years in this event and seems primed to contend for the title as a senior. She has shown an ability to perform her best when it matters most, even in this highly variable event where consistency can be rare. Terre Haute North sophomore Za’Nariae White had the best jump among all returners last year and may have the highest ceiling of anyone in the field. Avon junior Milyn Kirsh, 5th as a freshman and 3rd last year, also has the pedigree to be listed among the favorites. Delta senior Jillian Barr finished outside the top nine last state meet but was a medalist the season prior to that. 

Shot Put (5 returning medalists)

Alexa Walter - 12 - Heritage - 2nd at state - 44’4.75

Ellyse Walden - 12 - Western - 4th at state - 43’11.25

Brooklyn King - 12 - Jimtown - 5th at state - 43’1.5

Audrey Alexander - 12 - West Lafayette - 6th at state - 40’9.5

Carly Von Dielingen - 12 - Whiteland - 9th at state - 43’3

Of note:

Luci Barile - 12 - Center Grove - 42’11

Samara Rouser - 12 - SB Adams - 42’6

Ella King - 11 - Batesville - 41’10

Lily George - 12 - FW Carroll - 40’9.5

Erin Cauble - 12 - Harrison (WL) - 40’8.25

Brynlee Jellison - 12 - Elkhart - 40’8.25

Sydni Schiefer - 10 - Columbus North - 40’5.5

Nyla Young - 11 - Noblesville - 40’2.25

Outlook: Heritage senior Alexa Walter is the top returner both from state meet placing and PR. Walter is more of a shot put specialist based on previous performance. Western senior Ellyse Walden has the lowest combined places from the state meet in both throws and could be a contender for the double. Whiteland senior Carly Von Dielingen finished on the podium in both throws last year as well, one of just two returners to do so along with Walden. Center Grove senior Luci Barile has been more competitive in the disc but has the performances to be among the top of the state here also.

Discus (6 returning medalists)

Luci Barile - 12 - Center Grove - 2nd at state - 146’5

Maddison Judge - 10 - Greenwood - 5th at state - 143’7

Ellyse Walden - 12 - Western - 6th at state - 139’3

Sophia Scott - 11 - Silver Creek - 7th at state - 142’10

Carly Von Dielingen - 12 - Whiteland - 8th at state - 153’0

Emma Reyes - 12 - Lake Central - 9th at state - 135’3

Of note:

Delaney Oberholtzer - 12 - Lake Central - 144’3

Maria Whinnery - 12 - Zionsville - 135’9

Outlook: Barile is the top returner in state meet place. Von Dielingen was the top seed into the state finals, and while she ultimately finished eighth at state, she is a two-time All-Stater in this event. Silver Creek junior Sophia Scott is also a two-time medalist in this event. Lake Central seniors Emma Reyes and Delaney Oberholtzer could be an interesting duo in this event for a team that might find itself on the fringes of contention by  June.