Kokomo Athletics

The Unified Kats turned in one of their strongest performances of the season on Saturday at the Lafayette Jeff Invitational, finishing second overall with 126 points in a meet packed with big competition and bigger results. From the opening field events to the final relays, the Kats showed what’s possible when preparation meets team-first effort. Field Success Sets the Tone The meet opened with field events, where the Kats wasted no time putting up points and personal bests. MJ McColl placed second in the varsity long jump with a season-best leap of 17'8.75". Ellie Neuhauser added a win in her flight, jumping 11'5.25"—also a personal best. Isabella “Izzy” Sargent landed a 6'5" jump to take fourth in her group, continuing her steady improvement this season. In exhibition long jump, Aiden Sargent delivered one of the top marks of the day across all flights with a personal-best 14'10", winning the top exhibition group. Joseph Randolph (10'7.5") and Lucas Frederick (10'0") also won their flights with solid jumps. The throws group also made a strong showing. Claire Rowe took third in her exhibition shot put flight with a throw of 13'8", and Kaitlyn Haverkamp tied for fourth in hers at 10'7". In the varsity flights, Hayze Herron (36'8") and Ethan Lee (27’25") each earned second-place finishes, while Aubreanna Fitts contributed with a 21'2" mark to take fourth. 100 Meters: Speed and Versatility In the 100-meter dash, senior Gage Meyers showed exactly why he’s a leader on and off the track. He opened with a win in his heat, then shifted straight into the 400 where he partnered with Erik Carter in another strong showing. Later, Gage stepped up to anchor the boys' 4x100 relay, helping MJ McColl, Justin Smith, and Karsen Huffman earn a first-place finish in 52.05. Heat wins also came from Austin Jewell, Donovan Davis, and Claire Rowe in their respective exhibition 100-meter races, underscoring the team’s strength beyond just the top-tier lanes. 400 Meters: PRs Pile Up Ethan Lytle grabbed a win in his 400-meter heat, running a season-best 1:08.59. Devon Lee followed that up with a personal-best 1:03.07 in his heat, finishing second. Both showed control, speed, and the kind of in-race focus that’s built over weeks of consistent training. Relay Record Breakers The highlight of the meet came near the end, when the Unified girls’ 4x100 relay team—Ellie Neuhauser, Claire Rowe, Madison Armstrong, and Isabel Boyance Montes de Oca—ran a 1:12.54 to set a new Unified School Record and take second place in a competitive field. The relay was smooth, confident, and a symbol of the team’s progress this season. Building Momentum What stood out most wasn’t just the number of first-place finishes or PRs—it was the way athletes stepped into new roles and lifted each other up. Whether it was Gage stepping into multiple events, or relay teams working together under pressure, the Kats showed they’re more than a collection of strong performances—they’re a unified group with chemistry, leadership, and heart. The team now turns its focus to a quick turnaround with back-to-back meets: McCutcheon on Tuesday, followed by the Western Invitational on Wednesday. With momentum on their side and confidence growing, the Unified Kats are aiming even higher. Let's Go Coach! Also, big shout out to Coach Lorenz for finishing the Mini-Marathon with a time of 2:33.24!