PHOTO CREDIT: MERRILLVILLE TF INSTAGRAM
MERRILLVILLE RUNS DEEP
A range in the roster, let's dive in
Last June, Demarco Easter won the IHSAA Boys State Track and Field Meet in the pole vault at 16-3 - Merrillville's first ever pole vault state title. The program finished third in the team standings that day with 40 points. This spring, Easter's PR is 16-9, cleared at the 25th Annual West Lafayette Relays - six inches better than the mark that won him a state title. He came into his senior season as the defending state champion and is vaulting higher than he ever has, so it is no surprise he currently sits first in Indiana in the event.
The part that makes Merrillville's pole vault situation special is what sits directly behind him. Jovon Anderson cleared 15-0 at that same West Lafayette Relays meet, finishing second. Anderson was 6th at the Midwest Meet of Champions last summer at 14-0. He has been runner-up to Easter in every meet they have shared this spring.
Jordyn Fort is a sophomore who finished 6th at IHSAA Girls State in the 100 hurdles last June at 14.60 as a freshman. This spring her PR is 13.60, run at IHSAA Sectional 2 - that ranks first in Indiana. She is also 3rd in the state in the 300 hurdles at 43.04, 10th in the 400 at 57.10, and 21st in the 200 at 25.28. She has not lost a hurdles final this spring.
Mikel Smoot was 19th at IHSAA State in the 400 last spring at 49.73. This spring he is 9th in Indiana at 48.94, run against Merrillville and Michigan City in April - he has won every 400 final he has entered. The improvement from 19th at state to 9th in Indiana in one year is what a senior season is supposed to look like.
The roster has range across every event group. Keon Strong (2026) is 12th in Indiana in the 110 hurdles at 14.34 and 15th in the 300 hurdles at 39.05. Destine Ware (2026) is 13th in the state in the high jump at 5-5. Josiah Jones (2026) is 19th in the high jump at 6-5. Saniya Lipscomb (2026) is 13th in Indiana in the pole vault at 11-0. Josiah Becton (2026) is 21st in the long jump at 22-5.75. Erin Mukes (2026) is 25th in the shot put at 40-11. Curtis Walker (2028) is 25th in the long jump at 22-4.25. Lailah Wesby (2026) is 21st in the 400 at 57.91. Juelz Richardson (2029) is 76th in the 110 hurdles at 15.45.
There is more to come!
PHOTO CREDIT: MERRILLVILLE TF INSTAGRAM
MERRILLVILLE RUNS DEEP
A range in the roster, let's dive in
Last June, Demarco Easter won the IHSAA Boys State Track and Field Meet in the pole vault at 16-3 - Merrillville's first ever pole vault state title. The program finished third in the team standings that day with 40 points. This spring, Easter's PR is 16-9, cleared at the 25th Annual West Lafayette Relays - six inches better than the mark that won him a state title. He came into his senior season as the defending state champion and is vaulting higher than he ever has, so it is no surprise he currently sits first in Indiana in the event.
The part that makes Merrillville's pole vault situation special is what sits directly behind him. Jovon Anderson cleared 15-0 at that same West Lafayette Relays meet, finishing second. Anderson was 6th at the Midwest Meet of Champions last summer at 14-0. He has been runner-up to Easter in every meet they have shared this spring.