Grand Island Senior High returns a number of girls who scored points for last year's Class A state championship track team.
But the Islanders will go into the state meet as a decided underdog to repeat. That's because Millard North added former Omaha Marian standout distance runner Emily Sisson to their roster.
With Sisson at Millard North, the Mustangs become the team to beat.
"Millard North is a runaway favorite," Grand Island coach Jeff Stern said. "We figured it out at about 100 points. The next best is 55. That makes them the favorite, that's for sure."
By Stern's count, Lincoln Southeast is the team to beat for second place.
"We're definitely in the top five teams in Class A heading into the state meet," Stern said.
The Islanders will take 10 athletes in 15 events to the state meet. Senior Suzanne Higgins (300-meter hurdles, 400, 400 relay, 1,600 relay) qualified for four events while senior Tana O'Boyle (triple jump, 300 hurdles, 1,600 relay), and junior Alex Armes (100, 200, 1,600 relay) qualified in three each.
"We had a good district meet and qualified people that are going to score some points at the state meet," Stern said. "We were in a really tough district sprint-wise. That maybe hurt us just a little bit. We would have liked to have qualified Allison (Jorgensen) in the open 100 and 200. You can't control that stuff. It's just the way it goes.
"She will definitely run well in the four-by-one and the four-by-four. She did a great job on those relays last year."
Although beating Millard North for the team title may not be possible, Stern is confident his athletes will put together a good showing at state.
Throwers Makayla Gowen (shot put) and Carissa Kinne (shot and discus) both had personal bests at the district meet.
"We have a history the last few years of getting some outstanding performances at the state meet," Stern said. "Our strength coach, John Swanson, does a great job of peaking the girls in the weight room. That helps them achieve their best possible performances at the state meet."
The Grand Island boys, who finished tied for second at the district meet, will take 14 athletes in 11 events to the state meet. All five seniors -- Nathan Check (400 relay), Mike Tomlin (400 relay, 1,600 relay), Cody Friedrichsen (pole vault), Isaias Martinez (3,200 relay) and Brandon Grotzky (110 hurdles) qualified for the state meet.
"I was really happy that all five seniors are going to be able to go to the state meet," G.I. boys coach Montie Fyfe said. "That's always a goal of mine to make sure they finish the year off with an opportunity for the post season."
Friedrichsen went into last year's state meet hoping for a chance to medal, but only cleared 12-0.
"I'm really happy for Cody because last year the state track meet didn't go the way he wanted it to go," Fyfe said. "Now we have another week to prepare and hopefully reach some of his goals."
Fyfe said Martinez gave a great effort at the district meet, but finished fifth in both the 1,600 and 3,200. The top four advance to the state meet.
"He was been sick all day long," Fyfe said. "I was surprised he ran as well as he did, but he had a lot of heart. I'm so glad we got him in that four-by-eight. I'm just happy we finished the way we did. We finished strong."
Junior Tyler Cline, who has been strong all season in the discus, also qualified for state in the shot put as well.
"Tyler Cline had a very nice day in the throws," Fyfe said after the district meet. "We didn't expect him to qualify in the shot put and he got that taken care of.
Fyfe said his team's district performance should give it a boost going into the state meet.
"We have some things we can build on," Fyfe said. "We're just such a young team. Some kids had to grow up and get the experience of what it's like to be in a district meet."
