Unified Track & Field has been steadily gaining momentum in Northwest Indiana, uniting students across ability levels to compete, connect, and celebrate the power of inclusive athletics. Launched under the guidance of the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), this unique program merges students with intellectual disabilities—referred to as athletes—and students without disabilities—known as partners—into a single team that competes without distinction.
The 2025 season officially began with the first practice on March 10, followed by the first contest on March 24. Postseason competition begins with Sectionals on May 24, Regionals start on May 31, and it culminates with the State Finals on June 7. Unified Track events include the 100-meter dash, 4x100-meter relay, long jump, and shot put. What sets these meets apart is the spirit of camaraderie and shared achievement that runs deeper than the scoreboards. Athletes and partners train, compete, and celebrate victories—big and small—as one.
Portage High School continues to make significant strides in Unified Track & Field and remains a firm representative within the Duneland Athletic Conference (DAC). After a competitive 2024 season, Portage High School finished fourth at Sectionals, narrowly missing a trip to Regionals. The team delivered strong performances throughout the year, especially at the DAC meet, where they earned recognition for athletic excellence and sportsmanship.
Junior Kiera Reid took first place in the girls’ 100-meter dash. Freshman Pamela Yang placed first in the girls’ 400-meter. Senior Sienna Janes added a second-place finish in the same event. Portage High School’s Unified Track program continues to grow. They’re focused on building upon last year’s success while deepening team unity and strengthening partnerships.
La Porte High School (LPHS) also has a strong Unified Track & Field presence. In 2024, LPHS celebrated a significant milestone as the Boys Track and Field team took home the Sectional title. The school’s commitment to athletic and academic excellence was reflected in its Unified Track program, where several student partners were honored with academic letters for the school year. These included Sophomore Nala Hammoud, Juniors Henry Denger, Nick Novak, and Joce Surowiec, and Seniors Katelyn Peterson, Lilyan Siford, Kirsten Slucter, and Tim Yang.
Their leadership on and off the field highlights the core values of the Unified Track philosophy. LPHS will look to build on that momentum when the team returns to competition at Lake Central High School on Thursday, April 17. The meet will feature both Lake Central High School and Merrillville High School, set to begin at 4:30 p.m.
In Michiana, Unified Track & Field has also seen tremendous success. South Bend John Adams High School was impressive at the 2024 State Meet, finishing fourth overall. This achievement underscores the strength and spirit of the team, which continues to rise to the challenge of state-level competition. Mishawaka High School, another key player in the region, started its 2024 season with practice beginning on March 10, running from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Penn High School showed its competitive spirit with a strong performance at Sectionals, finishing in second place and securing a seventh place out of 12 teams at Regionals. The team’s effort is a testament to its growth, and they plan to come back even stronger in the 2025 season.
The Goshen Unified Track & Field Invitational on May 6 will feature a competitive field, including teams such as Homestead High School, Wawasee High School, Warsaw Community High School, South Bend John Adams High School, Mishawaka High School, Penn High School, NorthWood High School, Elkhart High School-California Rd., and Jimtown High School.
Valparaiso High School is gearing up for an exciting 2025 season after a strong 2024 campaign, during which the team achieved significant recognition as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School. This prestigious honor is awarded to schools that foster inclusive environments for students with intellectual disabilities. Valparaiso High School earned it for its outstanding efforts in athletics and leadership.
The team’s first practice of the season took place on March 13. Valparaiso High School’s commitment to inclusion and sportsmanship remains at the core of its Unified Track program, and it is ready to make noise this year with its dedicated athletes and partners.
Unified Track isn’t just about winning. It’s about mutual respect, learning, and the understanding that everyone has something valuable to contribute. These events are widely seen as a celebration of ability rather than disability and are a testament to sports' positive impact on building inclusive school communities.
For more information about Unified Track & Field in Indiana, visit ihsaa.org.