Congratulations are in order! Covenant Christian's Titus Falk sprinted his way to victory as the IndyStar Track and Field Athlete of the Week for April 27 to May 2. But as every athlete knows, the track never stops, and a fresh week brings a fresh chance to crown a new champion. This time, we're spotlighting the standout performances from May 4 to 9, and it's your turn to decide who takes the title.
From blistering sprints to soaring jumps, these nominees delivered unforgettable moments on the oval and in the field. Let's meet the contenders:
Alivia Bautista (Girls Track) – At the Big 5 track meet on May 7, Bautista dominated the distance events, taking first in the 800 meters with a time of 2:16.19 and the 1600 meters at 4:58.44. She also anchored the third-place 4x400-meter relay team, showing her versatility and endurance.
Madison Buck (Girls Track & Field) – Buck was a force of nature at the same Big 5 meet, winning the 100-meter hurdles (15.90), 300-meter hurdles (49.52), and the high jump with a leap of 5 feet, 6 inches. That triple-threat performance puts her in elite company this week.
Ethan Catlin (Boys Track) – Speed was the name of the game for Catlin, who snagged gold in both the 100 meters (10.89) and 200 meters (22.48) at the Big 5 meet. His explosive starts and powerful finishes made him a standout.
Eli Dowty (Boys Field) – Dowty reached new heights at the Beech Grove conference meet on May 8, clearing 11 feet, 6 inches to win the pole vault. It's a mark that speaks to his technical skill and sheer determination.
Jaylen Lindsay (Boys Field) – Lindsay soared to a second-place finish in the long jump at the Big 5 meet, with a leap of 19 feet, 5 inches. That silver-medal performance shows he's a jumper to watch.
Megan Miller (Girls Track & Field) – Miller was a scoring machine at the Carmel vs. North Central meet on May 7. She won the pole vault (11 feet), placed second in the 100 meters (12.46) and 300-meter hurdles (47.47), and helped her 4x100-meter relay team to a first-place finish (49.77). That's four top-two finishes in one day!
Aiden Payne (Boys Track) – Payne doubled up at the Beech Grove conference meet on May 8, winning the 200 meters (23.05) and 400 meters (50.32). His combination of speed and stamina makes him a dual-threat on the track.
Ethan Rich (Boys Track) – Rich proved his mettle in the distance events at the New Castle meet on May 7, taking first in both the 1600 meters (4:56.06) and 3200 meters (10:58.68). His endurance and pacing were on full display.
Jada White (Girls Track) – White was a powerhouse at the Big 5 meet, winning four events: the 100 meters (12.72), 200 meters (26.06), and anchoring two relay victories. Her speed and consistency earned her a spot among this elite group.
Now it's your turn to make the call. Voting closes at noon on Thursday, May 14, so don't wait—cast your vote for the athlete who inspired you most this week. Whether they're sprinting, jumping, or throwing, these athletes remind us why track and field is the ultimate test of athleticism. Who will take the crown? The decision is in your hands!