News

The Stars of Bedford North Lawrence secures the 2022 Unified State Championship on Saturday, scoring 116 total team points. This is their first state title in Unified Track and Field but their second Unified State Championship overall. The Stars won the inaugural Unified Flag Football State Championship in 2018.

Lafayette Jefferson finished as a close runner-up, scoring 114 team points. This is the Broncos best finish since winning the State Championship in 2015.

Two-time defending State Champion Valparaiso finshed third this year with 107 team points.

Elkhart and Penn rounded out the top-5, scoring 103 points and 102 points respectively.

Unified Sports® enables persons with and without intellectual disabilities to participate on the same team for sports training and competition. The “Champions Together” partnership between the Indiana High School Athletic Association and Special Olympics Indiana was launched in 2012. While the IHSAA provides the framework for competition, Special Olympics Indiana provides technical support and financial grants to a number of schools who start new Unified Track ® programs.

Eighth Annual IHSAA Unified Track & Field State Finals
Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex
Indiana Univeristy
Bloomington, Indiana

Final Results
1. Bedford North Lawrence | 116
2. Lafayette Jefferson | 114
3. Valparaiso | 107
4. Elkhart | 103
5. Penn | 102
6. Noblesville | 96
7. Indian Creek | 92
8. Westfield | 90
T9. Griffith | 88
T9. Avon | 88
11. Franklin County | 83
12. Boonville | 75
13. Floyd Central | 67

Tanner Robbins and Jesselyn Fisher of Bedford North Lawrence High School Awarded Bobby Cox Spirit of Unified Mental Attitude Award
At the conclusion of the Unified State Finals, the IHSAA Executive Committee presented Tanner Robbins and Jesselyn Fisher of Bedford North Lawrence the Bobby Cox Spriti of Unified Mental Attitude Award.

This award is presented annually to an athlete and partner athlete participating in the state finals. It is named in honor of Bobby Cox, who served as the IHSAA's eighth commissioner from 2011 to 2020, whose embrace of the Champions Together Initiative led to the establishment of Unified Flag Football and Unified Track and Field as IHSAA sports.

An athlete, nominated by their principal and coach, must excel in mental attitude, joy, courage, self-advocacy, and commitment during their time in high school. A partner athlete, also nominated by their principal and coach, must excel in mental attitude, inclusive behavior, courage, advocacy, and commitment during their time in high school.