Kokomo Athletics

The measure of a team isn’t found in a single result, but in the collective effort across every event. At the 2026 McCutcheon Unified Track & Field Invitational, the Unified Kats proved exactly what “We, not I” looks like in action, grinding out 98 team points through all events and taking 3rd place overall. Field Events The Kats set the tone early in the rings, where the shot put unit delivered a masterclass in consistency to rack up 18 team points. The scoring effort was led by the quartet of Austin Jewell (27’5”), Ethan Lee (24’5”), Taniya Jones (16’9”), and Xariyan Rogers (14’3.75”). Their combined performances ensured Kokomo built a lead from the first throw. Their precision in the ring was backed by massive marks from Joseph Lowery (28’7”) and Hayden Humbarger (27’9”), along with big contributions from Lily Walton and Emma Rahl. In a meet decided by depth, it was this total team effort that kept the pressure on the competition. That energy carried over to the long jump, where the Kats added another 18 points. Braedyn Booker stole the show, winning his flight with a massive leap of 17’6”. Behind him, the Kats showed their depth: Ellie Neuhauser cleared 11’4”, while Aaron Cruz (9’5”) and Isabella Sargent (7’0”) fought for every inch. Strong contributions from Marc Cuberta, Donovan Davis, Addi Cline, and Carter McClain ensured the Kats remained on top of their game in every flight. On the Track When the meet shifted to the lanes, the Kats found another gear. A 24-point explosion in the 100-meter dash kept Kokomo within striking distance of the top spot. That sprinting depth set the stage for the 400-meter dash. In the 400-meter dash, the Kats showed toughness and scored big for the team. Aaron Cruz, despite deciding to flirt during his race (photo included), also came through by taking 2nd in his heat and adding 8 points. Josh Smith won his heat with a solid 1:07.05, and Ethan Lytle placed 6th to add 3 more points, while Carter McClain ran a personal best and finished in second with a 57.78 to earn 8 points. Together, that group put up 29 points in one of the toughest races of the meet. The 400 is never easy. It takes focus, grit, and the ability to finish when your legs are tired, and the Kats did exactly that. Finishing Together Nothing exemplifies teamwork like the relays, and Kokomo finished the day with an exclamation point. The girls’ 4x100 relay team of Neuhauser, Smith, Armstrong, and Rakestraw captured a 1st-place finish in 1:05. The boys’ squad of Jewell, Smith, Booker, and Humbarger battled to a 2nd-place finish in 56.00 seconds. On to the next one…