KOKOMO, Ind. - The Indiana University Kokomo women's cross country program has released its 2026 recruiting class, a group that features eight incoming student-athletes.

The Cougar women's cross country team is coming off another successful season in 2025, continuing its tradition as one of the premier programs in the River States Conference. IU Kokomo claimed the team title at the University of Rio Grande's Patty Forgey Invitational and finished fourth at the River States Conference Championship. The Cougars will look to build on that success as they add a talented incoming class this fall.

Head coach Josh Colvin, alongside associate head coach Jordan Fivecoate, are excited to welcome another strong group of student-athletes to the Cougar cross country family.

2026 Recruiting Class:

Haley Blackburn | Lafayette, IN | Lafayette Jeff HS
Haley Blackburn is set to join the IU Kokomo program this fall after previously attending [High School]. A distance runner, Blackburn competed in both cross country and track and field for two seasons during her prep career, earning All-NCC honors in cross country both years while establishing herself as one of the top performers in the conference. She captured the NCC 1600-meter championship, was a two-time 3200-meter sectional champion, and a two-time 4x800-meter sectional champion on the track, while also earning Team MVP honors in both cross country and track. Blackburn finished her high school career as the second-fastest runner in school history and was a consistent leader for her program. Blackburn was also a member of the National Technical Honor Society and earned an Academic Honors Diploma.

Blackburn plans on majoring in Nursing at IU Kokomo.

Nathalia Hernandez | Logansport, IN | Logansport HS
Nathalia Hernandez is set to join the IU Kokomo program this fall after previously attending Logansport High School. A distance athlete, Hernandez competed in both cross country for three seasons and track and field for four seasons during her prep career, earning All-State Honorable Mention honors in track and field in both 2025 and 2026 while totaling seven varsity letters. She was a two-time cross country regional qualifier and a 4x800-meter regional qualifier on the track, while also being named Most Valuable Distance Runner in 2026 and helping lead her program to a Hot Dog Invitational championship.

Off the track, Hernandez was equally accomplished as a standout student leader, earning multiple academic, honors, and recognition distinctions throughout her high school career.

Hernandez plans on majoring in Biochemistry at IU Kokomo.

Miranda Mendoza | Delphi, IN | Delphi HS
Miranda Mendoza is set to join the IU Kokomo program this fall after previously attending [High School]. A multi-sport athlete, Mendoza competed in cross country and track and field for two seasons while also playing varsity soccer for four years during her prep career. She was a consistent contributor in both distance and endurance events, earning Track & Field MVP honors during her senior season as well as being named Most Valuable Distance Runner. Mendoza also earned recognition through the Indiana State Police Summer Cadet Program, where she received the Top Female PT Award, while staying actively involved in numerous academic and school organizations throughout high school.

Mendoza plans on majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice at IU Kokomo.

Elly Potts | Milan, IN | Milan HS
Elly Potts is set to join the IU Kokomo program this fall after previously attending [High School]. A four-year varsity athlete in both cross country and track and field, Potts was a consistent performer throughout her prep career, earning three cross country regional qualifications while also being a three-time All-Conference and four-time All-County selection. She established herself as one of the top distance runners in her program, while also excelling academically, graduating Summa Cum Laude, ranking sixth in her class, and earning All A Honor Roll recognition throughout high school.

Potts plans on majoring in Nursing at IU Kokomo.

Shalyn Schoettmer | Peru, IN | Maconaquah HS

Alexis Sibray | Portland, IN | Jay County HS
Alexis Sibray is set to join the IU Kokomo program this fall after previously attending [High School]. A four-year varsity athlete in both cross country and track and field, Sibray also competed in basketball for two seasons during her prep career. She earned Academic Honors Diploma distinction and was a National Honor Society member, while also excelling as a consistent competitor in both cross country and track. Sibray earned four regional cross country placements and was a two-time leadership award winner in both sports, while also earning All-NCC honorable mention honors over the last two seasons.

Sibray plans on majoring in Health Science/Pre-Physical Therapy at IU Kokomo.

Madi Walkup | Lafayette, IN | Faith Christian HS
Madi Walkup is set to join the IU Kokomo program this fall after previously attending [High School]. A cross country athlete, Walkup competed for three seasons during her prep career, earning All-Conference honors in cross country in both her sophomore and junior seasons while helping lead her team to conference championships from her sophomore through senior years. She earned 2025 Academic All-State Honorable Mention recognition and was a consistent contributor throughout her high school career, while also being a 10-year member of 4-H and demonstrating strong commitment in and out of competition. Walkup also graduated Cum Laude and completed an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts with Honors through Grace College and Seminary as part of a dual credit program.

Walkup plans on majoring in Biology at IU Kokomo.

Erabella Winrotte | Kokomo, IN | Kokomo HS
Erabella Winrotte is set to join the IU Kokomo program this fall after previously attending [High School]. A multi-sport athlete, Winrotte competed in both cross country and track and field for four seasons during her prep career, while also playing basketball for three years. She totaled nine varsity letters across her athletic career, consistently contributing as a well-rounded competitor. Winrotte was also active in leadership and service organizations, including 4-H, FCA, National Honor Society, and FICA, where she was named Member of the Year for FCA.

Winrotte plans on majoring in Occupational Therapy at IU Kokomo.

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