The timing is right. Now it comes down to the times.
Prior to the start of districts in track and field, Helias coach Chip Malmstrom studied the schedule for the Class 4 state championships. Kaitlyn Shea of the Helias Lady Crusaders had the potential to run in the maximum of four events in the postseason, but only if the schedule allowed it.
"She wouldn't be in four events if they weren't spaced out to our liking," Malmstrom said. "We weren't going to have her run in districts and advance, then skip the sectional, or run in the districts and sectional, then skip state."
Malmstrom liked what he saw and Shea qualified in all four for the championships, which start this morning at Dwight T. Reed Stadium.
Shea, a senior who has signed to run at Southeast Missouri State, will start her championships as part of the Helias 4x800-meter relay at 10:30 a.m. today. Her next event isn't until the 3,200-meter run at 4:20 p.m.
Then on Saturday, Shea will compete in the 1,600-meter run at 12:15 p.m. and the 800-meter run at 2:10 p.m. All four of the events are finals-only.
"That's more time than she usually gets at a meet," Malmstrom said.
Shea will be joined by teammates Kylie Frank, Molly Light and Lanie Hentges in the 4x800.
"I think they have a great chance at getting a medal," Malmstrom said.
It will be the final race at Helias for Light, a junior who is transferring to St. Francis Borgia next year.
"Molly is a great kid and she does so much for this school," Malmstrom said. "I really want her to go out on a good note."
Frank will join Shea in the 800-meter final Saturday. Frank was battling an illness last Saturday at sectionals and failed to advance in the 1,600. But after a pep talk from her family and Shea, Frank rebounded to win the 800 as Shea took second.
"They have done really well running together," Malmstrom said.
Malmstrom credited assistant coach Brad Hake for his work with the Lady Crusader distance runners in his first season with the team.
"He's done a great job with the distance runners," Malmstrom said. "He has not just maintained what was a very good group, he's improved them."
The Lady Crusaders will also have Erica Haslag, who has signed to play volleyball at Bradley, in the high jump. After qualifying for state in the event as a freshman, Haslag returned as a senior after skipping the last two years.
"Erica has been looking toward state all season," Malmstrom said. "She wasn't happy with what she jumped at districts and sectional, but she's gotten some rest this week and I think the competitor in her is really going to come out."
The Class 4 girls high jump will start at 9:30 a.m. today.
The Lady Crusaders have the potential to post a top-four team finish and get a trophy this weekend.
"We should score points in all the events and that makes us hopeful," Malmstrom said. "It's not unreasonable to hope for a trophy."
On the boys side, the Crusaders advanced in two events.
The 4x800-meter relay team - comprised of Chandler Luebbert, Joseph Randazzo, Thomas Asmar and Elliot Knernschield - will run at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
The trip caps a great postseason run by the foursome. The team was seeded sixth at districts, but advanced by finishing second. The team was seeded sixth again at sectionals, but earned a state spot by finishing fourth.
"They just keep fighting and advancing," Malmstrom said. "I like them being in pressure situations because they've responded so well."
Collin Caywood, a senior, will make his first appearance at state when he competes in the long jump at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
"He has been our No. 1 or No. 2 varsity jumper since he was a freshman," Malmstrom said. "He just needed to put it together at districts and sectional and he finally did that this year.
"He's capable of big jumps, it's just a matter of doing it this weekend."