VALPARAISO, IN — The Valparaiso High School girls track and field team is ready to showcase its talent on Indiana's biggest stage at the IHSAA Girls State Finals this Friday, June 5, at North Central High School. Led by head coach, Mike Walker, and backed by a strong roster of individual sprinters, hurdles specialists, multi-event relay qualifiers, and a field contender, the Vikings are bringing a powerhouse contingent to Indianapolis. --Relay Teams Chasing the Podium-- Valparaiso's deep roster has successfully advanced all three relay squads to the state meet, combining veteran leadership with underclassman speed. --4x100 Meter Relay Ready to Compete-- After a 6th place finish in 2025, the Vikings' 4x100m relay team enters the state finals as a prominent threat. The quartet of Jemma Adamski, Saylor Gapinski, Ava Vanda, and Mia Smith captured a blazing seed time of 47.57 seconds during the Regional round, placing them directly among the fastest programs in the state.. --4x400 Meter Relay Eyes the Podium-- The 4x400m relay team secured its state berth with a highly competitive seed time of 3:57.44. Looking to better their 5th place finish in 2025, the lineup featuring Brianna Fincannon, Braelyn Nelson, Ava Vanda, and Mia Smith is primed to challenge the field out of Section 2. --4x800 Meter Relay-- Demonstrating the program's tradition of excellence in the 4x800, the distance crew has punched its ticket to Indianapolis for the 13th straight year. The veteran 4x800m relay team of Sydney Herb, Ena Gilliana, Eavan Daly, and Avi Greiner enters the competition in Section 1 carrying a qualifying seed time of 9:36.42. INDIVIDUALS READY TO COMPETE In addition to the relay events, several Viking standouts will be representing Valparaiso across a variety of highly competitive individual events. The Sprint Double: Junior Mia Smith is set for a massive weekend in the sprints, looking to move up from her 7th place finish in the 200 in 2025. Smith qualified in Heat 3 of the 100-meter dash trials with a seed time of 12.09 seconds, and she will also take on the state's best in Heat 3 of the 200-meter dash trials with a seed time of 25.28 seconds. Elite Dash Depth: Senior Ava Vanda joins Smith in the short sprint field, securing her individual state spot in Heat 4 of the 100-meter dash trials with an impressive qualifying time of 12.38 seconds. The Quarter-Mile: Senior Brianna Fincannon will compete against Indiana's elite long-sprinters in Section 3 of the 400-meter dash, carrying a seed time of 57.13 seconds. Fincannon is also scheduled to run in Heat 2 of the 200-meter dash trials with a seed time of 25.43 seconds. Hurdles: Junior Braelyn Nelson will represent the green and white in Section 1 of the 300-meter hurdles, flying into the state prelims with a qualifying time of 46.08 seconds. Pole Vault: Representing the Vikings in the field events, junior Coe Krischke enters the state Pole Vault competition carrying a seed mark of 10 feet, 6 inches and will compete in Flight 1. The IHSAA Girls Track & Field State Finals will take place on Friday, June 5, 2026, hosted at North Central High School in Indianapolis (address: 1801 E 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240). Timeline for the event (all time ET): 3:00 PM – Pole Vault, Long Jump and Discus 4:00 PM – High Jump; Shot Put 4:15 PM – 3200 M Relay Finals 5:00 PM – 100 M Dash Trials 5:15 PM – 100 M High Hurdle Trials 5:40 PM – 200 M Dash Trials 6:10 PM – Opening Ceremonies 6:15 PM – 100 M High Hurdles 6:25 PM – 100 M Dash 6:35 PM – 1600 M Run 6:45 PM – 400 M Relay 7:05 PM – 400 M Dash 7:20 PM – 300 M Low Hurdles 7:45 PM – 800 M Run 8:05PM. – 200 M Dash 8:15 PM – 3200 M Run 8:30 PM – 1600 M Relay Best of luck to all of our incredible Valparaiso athletes as they compete and represent the Green and White! Go Valpo! 🟢⚪️