On May 22, male and female athletes competed in the Class 3 and Class 4 Sectional track and field meet. In the event 14 athletes qualified for the annual state meet on May 25 and 26.

“I’m really because of the fact we qualified both in distance and in sprints,” Girls Head coach Kristen Witt said. “We also qualified in field events as well, so it’s really nice to build the team and to keep seeing the growth over the last two years.”

The track team managed to qualify in five open events, four relay events, one hurdle event and one pole vault event.

“I’m so ready to run. I’ve been to state every year for cross country, but not for track,” junior Blake Selm. “This is my first time running state in track, so I’m looking forward to a good time with it and the team.”

For runners such as sophomore Tess Allgeyer, the feeling of being involved has never gotten old.

“I was able to go to state last year, but I was only an alternate. Now I’m actually competing in state, so there’s a lot of excitement heading into Jefferson City,” Allgeyer said.

For senior Will Carter, it has been a long journey now finally being able to compete in state after four years of running track.

“A fitting end to satisfy years of track. And it’s about time,” Carter said.

As the event approaches, coaches look to maintain the level of fitness to make sure their athletes are in tiptop shape.

“To prepare, around this time of year, the work has pretty much been done,” Boys Head coach Kevin John said. “There’s not a whole lot we can do this week to try and make ourselves better but we’re gonna make sure we can be the best that we can be.”