Student Spotlight: Luke Himes

Writer / Matt Keating
Photography Provided

Luke Himes, a senior at Heritage Christian School, exemplifies a student-athlete who excels at track-and-field events.

His father, Stacy M. Himes, says Luke loves track and field, where he has had many wins in shot put and discus.

“I could say a lot, but Luke had a lot of highlights in 2023,” Stacy says. “He was the IHSAA state champion in shot put, and he was the IHSAA fifth-place winner for discus. He was also the IHSAA sectional and regional champion shot-put and discus winner, for the meet record sectional shot put. He was the Indianapolis city meet champion shot-put and discus winner, for the meet record in shot put.”

Stacy notes that Luke also was a Circle City Conference champion shot-put and discus winner, and had meet records in both shot put and discus.

“Luke was also an indoor state meet small-school state champion for shot put,” Stacy says. “He was the New Balance Nationals Indoor runner-up in shot put. Luke threw the shot 67 feet, 10 inches in the outdoor season. This was the third-farthest throw in Indiana history. It was also the national-leading throw at the time it occurred, and as of the close of the season is the number-two throw in the United States.”

Stacy adds that Luke also threw the discus 173 feet, 11 inches in the outdoor season.

“Luke was also the MileSplit First Team Outdoor American,” Stacy says. “He was the National Christian School Athletic Association Athlete of the Year, and Luke was the New Balance Nationals Indoor All-American.”

Luke also enjoys school.

“He likes math,” Stacy says. “He has taken AP calculus through BC calculus, and he is presently taking AP statistics. Luke is also in the school band and jazz band. He plays the trombone.”

Luke already has some plans for the future.

“Luke will pursue engineering and participate in NCAA Division I track and field,” Stacy says.

Stacy says he is very proud of everything Luke has accomplished.

“I have been his coach since the sixth grade,” Stacy says. “Luke has strong character. He works hard, he’s honest and he keeps his cool in difficult situations. He also can handle adversity quite well.”