Lots of talent in South Bend area boys track and field scene. Here's the top returnees for 2024
The Indiana high school outdoor boys track and field season is set to get going in-full next week, and there are plenty of local athletes with their eyes set on qualifying for the state meet.
2023 state results: Penn's Coker, LaVille's Hulsey take third places at IHSAA Boys Track and Field State Finals
Here is some of the top talent from the South Bend area to watch for this spring, listed in alphabetical order by school.
Jaron Thomas, junior, Concord
Thomas broke onto the scene as a sophomore, making his way to the state finals and finishing 16th in the 100-meter dash. The Minutemen standout is quickly becoming one of the area’s top football prospects as well, receiving offers from the likes of Ball State, Western Michigan and Army this spring.
Max Malloy, junior, Elkhart
Malloy was the only Elkhart County athlete to place at the state finals last year, taking 9th in the 1,600-meter run. He also competed in the 3,200-meter run and the 4x800-meter relay team at state for the Lions.
Bishop Williams, senior, Jimtown
Although he ended up finishing 24th at the state finals, Williams did not lose a 400-meter race all season prior to that, claiming Northern Indiana Conference, sectional and regional titles along the way.
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Tayshaun Williams, junior, LaPorte
Williams qualified for state in three events last year: the 200-meter dash, 4x100-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay. All three of his 4x4 relay teammates are back in senior Willie Clay and juniors Chris Libera and Landyn Hunt.
Lincoln Hulsey, senior, LaVille
Hulsey was one of the top individuals in his event last year, finishing third at state in the pole vault with a height of 15 feet. He was only three inches behind the second-place finisher, while last year’s state winner has graduated.
Aldan Zolman, senior, Mishawaka
As a junior, Zolman qualified for the state finals in the 400-meter dash, taking 21st. He was second at the Penn Sectional and third at the Warsaw Regional to advance to state.
Liam Bauschke, junior, Mishawaka
While he didn’t have the season many expected, Bauschke still qualified for the state finals last year in the 3,200-meter run. He’s coming off a big cross country season this past fall where he finished as Northern Lakes Conference, sectional and regional champion before finishing 17th at state.
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Skyler VanSkyhawk, junior, Mishawaka
The man with one of the best names in the area was a state qualifier in the 110-meter hurdles a season ago, finishing 26th.
Kellen Watson, junior, Penn
Watson earned a pair of top-10 finishes at state last year, taking fourth individually in the 100-meter dash and 10th as part of the 4x100-meter relay team. He’s already helped make some history this spring, setting a new school record in the 4x100 alongside Kohen Turner, Elijah Coker and Camden Anderson.
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Elijah Coker, senior, Penn
Speaking of Coker, he competed in three events at the state finals last year, including a third-place finish in the long jump with a leap of 23-07.75 feet. He was also on the 4x100 team, as well as taking 16th in the 200-meter dash.
Hudson Kaser, senior, Penn
Kaser qualified for the state meet in the 800-meter run as a junior, finishing 21st.
Brandon Mueller, senior, Penn
One of Penn’s top cross country runners the past few years, Mueller also is strong on the track, finishing 20th at state in the 3,200-meter run a season ago.
Robert Nabieu, senior, South Bend Riley
Despite battling injuries throughout last season, the talented Wildcat still placed at state in the long jump, finishing ninth with a leap of 22-01.50 feet. Nabieu will also compete for spots at the state meet in the sprint events this spring.
Luke Kaufhold, junior, South Bend Saint Joseph
Although he didn’t earn a medal at the state meet last year, Kaufhold still performed strong, finishing 10th in the 300-meter hurdles and 11th in the 110-meter hurdles. He’ll be in the mix once again to advance to state in both of those events this year.
Jaquan Patton, senior, South Bend Washington
Patton qualified for the state meet in the 100-meter dash, and he’ll be looking to build off his 29th-place showing this year.
Others to watch
Nathan Munson (Elkhart senior), Zach Anderson (Elkhart junior), Aaron Richter (Elkhart junior), Erick Bedock (LaVille senior), Mathias Hazen (Northridge senior), Alex Ortiz (Saint Joseph senior), Bill Imanene (Saint Joseph senior), Samuel Harshman (Saint Joseph junior).
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Top area boys track and field athletes to watch for in 2024
