Aris Koehler, Mason Green and Noah Deeds earned a wildcard spot in the 2026 STARTedUP Challenge Finals for their NAM Spike Guard idea.
The team was the second from Region 4 to join the challengers for a$25,000 prize. One team from each of seven regions was selected to move on to the state finals. Three wildcard teams also were chosen. Each team advancing to state receives $1,000 for each member up to three students. The 10 teams also will participate in a six-week bootcamp. Finals will take place June 12.
The NAM Spike Guard protects track athletes’ racing spikes with a lightweight, snap-on cover that prevents damage on hard surfaces while allowing comfortable movement between events.
Brandon Walker's Course Caddy won this year's STARTedUP Challenge Region 4 pitch competition. Walker of Munster High School said his ball retrieval system serves several purposes, including saved time and environmental impacts. He plans to sell the technology to golf courses and players who want to save time and money on finding and buying golf balls.
The STARTedUP Challenge, a high school pitch competition, formerly known as Innovate WithIN, is in its ninth year of promoting young innovators.
The Northwest Indiana (Region 4) Competition on April 23 was hosted by the Society of Innovators and Purdue University Northwest. Watch the pitches here.
