The 2026 IHSAA girls track season began in early March! With the new campaign underway, IndyStar is spotlighting 10 underclassmen to watch.
Bri Carlisle, Avon
The Avon freshman’s time of 7.76 in the 60 is the 14th-best in the state. Carlisle registered that time at the Brownsburg HCC Indoor meet on March 11, finishing third in the event. Carlisle followed with another third-place finish at the Brownsburg Bulldog Last Chance meet on March 21. She missed the large-school final at Hoosier State Relays by .01.
Chloe Tragesser, Guerin Catholic
Guerin Catholic freshman placed first in the 3,200 at the Brownsburg Individuals meet March 7 with a time of 11:29.54, slotting her in the top 50.
Nife Ogunleye, Brownsburg
Bulldogs sophomore had a remarkable first season, placing third in the 100 at state with a time of 11.80. She also helped lead the Bulldogs to victory in the 4×100 relay at state. That built a foundation for her breakthrough 60-meter time of 7.36, a state indoor record, in winning at Hoosier State Relays. She beat 100-meter state champion Nadia Ford of Fort Wayne Carroll.
Caitlin Hawkins, Fishers
Fishers sophomore aims for her first appearance at state after placing fifth in the 3,200 at regionals last season. Hawkins started strong, finishing first in the event at the Brownsburg Indoor meet.
Katherine Simmons, Mt. Vernon
Simmons, who also competes in the long jump, placed fifth in the 400 at state last season with a time of 56.25. The sophomore Marauder ran the anchor of the 4×200 relay in 25.13 at the Hoosier State Relays.
Anya Zoeller, Pendleton Heights
Pendleton Heights sophomore finished second in the 1,600 at state last season with a time of 4:52.05. Zoeller captured sectional and regional titles. She ran a 3,200 in 10:56.00 indoors.
Kourtney Taylor, North Central
Taylor anchored North Central to a fourth-place finish in the 4×100 relay at state last season. The sophomore led the Panthers to first place in the 4×400 and second in the 4×200 at the Brownsburg Bulldog Last Chance meet on March 21. Her 24.68 anchor in the 4×200 helped North Central set a state indoor record at Hoosier State Relays.
Mackenna Condon, Westfield
Westfield sophomore helped the Shamrocks finish third in the 4×800 relay at the Hoosier Crossroads Conference indoor meet. Condon helped Westfield to fourth-place finishes at sectional and regional last year in the 4×800.
Alyssa Lahee, Noblesville
Noblesville ranks in the top 25 for the best times produced in the 4×200 and 4×400 relays this season. A large part of its success is due to the sophomore Lahee. As a freshman, Lahee anchored the Millers to a top 15 finish at state. Noblesville finished second in the 4×400 and fourth in the 4×200 at the Red Devil Last Chance Hoosier State Relays qualifying meet on March 21. She ran a 58.59 anchor indoors at the Hoosier State Relays.
Akua Sackey, Franklin Central
Flashes sophomore ran 60 meters indoors in 7.75, and she was within .02 of making the final at Hoosier State Relays. Sackey hopes to make her first state appearance after finishing sixth in the 100 and eighth in the 200 at regionals last year.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA girls track: 10 Central Indiana underclassmen to watch this season
Reporting by Joshua Heron, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
