---
The 2024 track and field season in Indiana saw some exceptional performances from the top girls in each sectional. These athletes are not just competing for themselves; they're vying for a spot at regionals and, ultimately, the state championships. Their hard work and dedication are evident in every event, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive season. As they continue to push their limits, these girls are not just making marks in their sectionals but also aiming to leave a lasting legacy in Indiana track and field.
Here we look at the top girls performances from the sectional meets.
Nadia Ford Enters the Record Books
A star freshman for Fort Wayne Carroll, Nadia Ford came away with her 6th 100m victory of the year at the Sectional 14 meet, where she finished 1st overall with a time of 12.00 for a new PR. Ford dominated in the event, winning by a quarter of a second. She leave the sectional competitions with the top overall 100m time and ranks 11th overall in Indiana this season. Her time of 12.00 also ranks her tied for 8th all-time in Indiana for freshmen girls in the 100m.
Top IN Freshmen Girls 100m Times from our Database
| RANK | TIME | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATE PLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11.61 | -0.4 | Pike High School | 2017 | |
| 2 | 11.79 | 0.0 | Kokomo High School | 2020 | IHSAA Girls State 4th P |
| 3 | 11.85 | NWI | Gary West Side High School | 2016 | |
| 4 | 11.86 | Indiana Storm Track Club | 2022 | ||
| 5 | 11.88 | 0.7 | Connersville High School | 2026 | |
| 6 | 11.93 | Fort Wayne Northrop High School | 2004 | ||
| 7 | 11.95 | Soca Speed Track Club | 2025 | Leader Invite 1st F | |
| 8 | 12.00 | Fort Wayne Carroll High School | 2027 | ||
| 8 | 12.00 | -0.3 | Fort Wayne Wayne High School | 2014 | IHSAA State Championship 4th P |
| 10 | 12.07 | -0.4 | Gary West Side High School | 2017 |
---
Sotelo Cruises Over the Hurdles for the Double Win
Isabella Sotelo has only lost once this season and she wasn't going to be denied at the Sectional 18 meet in Pendleton Heights. Sotelo now has cruised to 15 100m/300m hurdles victories this season, going undefeated in the 300m. The most amazing part of this all, is that she is only a freshman. She won the 100m hurdles by over a second and a half and the 300m hurdles by almost 4 seconds. Her times of 15.02 in the 100m hurdles and 44.78 in the 300m hurdles both were new PRs. They are also historic freshman times in Indiana, with her 15.02 ranking her 6th all-time for freshmen girls and her time of 44.78 ranking her 9th.
---
Emarie Goes Over Fifty, Making History
Joining an exclusive club of Indiana girls to throw over 50 feet in the shot put, Emarie Jackson made history at her sectional meet, becoming only the 4th girl in state history to throw over 50 feet. Jackson had a throw of 50' 2.2" to enter elite territory for Indiana all-time as she is only bested by Hadley Lucas, Cassie Wertman and Tori Bliss. She had previously been close two other times this season with throws over 49 feet, but she finally nabbed the elusive barrier of 50 feet.
All-Time IN Girls Shot Put Marks fro our Database
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATE PLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54-10 | Bloomington North High School | 2024 | |
| 2 | 51-0.5 | Southridge High School | 2012 | |
| 3 | 50-9 | Portage High School | 2011 | IHSAA State Championship 1st F |
| 4 | 50-2.2 | Greensburg High School | 2024 | |
| 5 | 49-7 | Lafayette Jefferson High School | 2017 |
---
Nicki Southerland Cruises to 800m + 1600m Victories
Nicki Southerland continued her history of dominant sectionals performances, running the top sectionals 800m time this year and crushing the competition for the top 1600m time. In the 800m, Southerland ran a time of 2:10.16, winning her race by over 13 seconds. In the 1600m, she did even better, running a time of 4:45.79, winning by almost 42 seconds. This marks her fourth straight year winning both events at the Section 17 meet. Southerland currently ranks as the #11 1600m runner nationally with her time of 4:42.65 and #21 in the 800m with her time of 2:07.64.
---
Barada Flys Under the Radar in the 800m
Ellie Barada finished as the #2 girl by time overall for sectionals, only behind Southerland, but cruised up the all-time lists with a dominant 800m performance. She finished with a time of 2:10.16 at the Sectional 26 meet, winning by almost four seconds. This time was a an almost two-second PR for Barada and shot her up the all-time 800m list going from 34th place all-time, all the way up to 18th all-time.
| 13 | 2:09.82 | Lawrence North High School | 2004 | |
| 14 | 2:09.83 | Brownsburg High School | 2021 | |
| 15 | 2:09.99 | Lafayette Jefferson High School | 1986 | |
| 16 | 2:10.20 | South Dearborn High School | 2008 | |
| 17 | 2:10.54 | Fort Wayne Carroll High School | 2013 | |
| 18 | 2:10.58 | Bloomington South High School | 2026 | |
| 19 | 2:10.75 | Evansville Central High School | 2012 | |
| 20 | 2:11.16 | Pioneer High School | 2017 | |
| 21 | 2:11.31 | Mishawaka Marian High School | 2007 |
To enter the top ten all-time, Barada would have to run a time of 2:08.75.
---
Vaden Makes History with 20 Foot Jump
Jila Vaden became the first Indiana girl to reach the 20 foot barrier in the long jump this outdoor season, jumping 20' 0.5" to win the Sectional 21 meet. In reaching that 20 foot barrier, Vaden became just the third Indiana girl all-time to break that barrier after Prommyse Hoosier and Tonya Sedwick. She currently ranks third all-time behind those girls with her jump of 20' 0.5" and ranks 11th nationally this outdoor season.
All-Time IN Girls Long Jump Marks
| RANK | MARK | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATE PLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20-6.75 | 0.6 | Warren Central High School | 2019 | |
| 2 | 20-4 | Jeffersonville High School | 0 | ||
| 3 | 20-0.5 | Warren Central High School | 2024 | ||
| 4 | 19-10.75 | 0.1 | Heritage Christian High School | 2025 | |
| 5 | 19-9.7 | Crown Point High School | 2027 |
---
Evansville North Teammates Cruise to Top 2 Times in 200m
De'Janay Layne and Iana Tecson, both sophomores at Evansville North, cruised to the top two times in the 200m for the sectional meets, with Layne coming in at 24.64 and Tecson coming in at 24.65. Layne ranked #1 and Tecson #2 in the overall section rankings, with both girls coming in at over 0.30 seconds over any other 200m runner. Both times were new PRs for both girls and currently rank them #2 and #3 in Indiana this season, only behind Lyric Steele at 24.55. Their times also rank them favorably among their sophomore peers, with Layne ranking 45th in her class this season and Tecson tied for 46th.
---
Crooke Show Why She Is One of Indiana's Best
We all know that Heritage Christians Kya Crooke is one of the best athletes in Indiana and she proved that yet again at sectionals. Crooke won all three events she competed in in the 100m, long jump and high jump. In the 100m she finished with a time of 12.11, which ranked 5th for all girls at sectionals. In the long jump she jumped 19' 9", inching ever so close to the 20 foot barrier that only three Indiana girls have ever met. Finally in the high jump, Crooke jumped 5' 11", setting a new PR by half an inch. Her jump of 5" 11" puts her in a tie for 5th all-time in Indiana for the event.
Kya Crooke All-Time Times/Marks | All-Time IN Rank
| Event | Mark/Time | All-Time IN Rank |
| 100m | 11.46 | 5th |
| 300m Hurdles | 42.85 | 10th |
| Long Jump | 19' 10.75" | 4th |
| High Jump | 5' 11" | T-5th |