Melvin Myers has been reiterating the number "1.5" to his girls track and field team.
It doesn't refer to a distance. It doesn't refer to an increment of time either. The reason the Jefferson City track and field coach has reminded the Lady Jays of that number is because it represented the difference between fourth and fifth place in the Class 5 team standings at the 2015 state track and field championships.
The Lady Jays finished fifth last year, 1.5 points behind Lafayette (Wildwood). They're looking for their first Class 5 state trophy this weekend in only the second year since Missouri track and field expanded from four classes to five.
"I think it would be really special," Myers said. "It's a hard-working bunch of girls. We have some quality seniors and it would be nice to bring them out with a plaque."
Jefferson City is sending a total of 22 entries - 15 for the girls and seven for the boys - to the Class 5 state track and field championships, which will take place today and Saturday. The list of state qualifiers includes six district champions and one sectional champion.
"When we got our many state titles in the past, we got there in a wide range of events," Myers said. "You get a point here and a point there and before you know it, you've racked up some points. That's what we'll be trying to get back to. Hopefully we're getting close."
Senior Alexis Roberson was the lone sectional winner for Jefferson City, taking the title in the girls discus this past Saturday. The 2015 Class 5 state champion in the shot put, Roberson is seeded fourth in today's shot put competition. However, her top event has shifted to the discus, where she is seeded second in Saturday's competition.
Roberson, a Southern Illinois-Carbondale signee, is one of eight Lady Jays to qualify for state in multiple events.
"She's ready to go," Myers said. "I expect her to be standing on the platform somewhere, either on the top or at No. 2 in one of those events."
All four girls relay teams will compete at state and the Jays advanced two of their relays past the sectional round as well. The boys 4x800-meter relay team, which won a district title, will be the No. 2 seed in today's race. The Jays' sectional time of 7:59.72 only trails Blue Springs.
"They really had a good weekend last weekend," Myers said. "They were at 8:09 and they peaked down to 7:59. I think they have more in them. I think they have a chance to get gold."
Jefferson City will also return some state medalists from 2015. Senior Haley Watson returns in the girls 300-meter hurdles as the fifth seed in today's preliminaries. Senior Nicole Martin, who finished fourth in Class 5 in the girls high jump last year, qualified again this season, as did senior Lexie Stull, who finished seventh in the state in girls triple jump last year.
First-time state qualifiers Nathaniel Bustamante and Rachel Holt are seeded in the top-8 in the boys and girls pole vault, respectively. Dennis Barnes will compete in both the boys 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles.
"Dennis made it through and he didn't even run as good as he can," Myers said of his performance at sectionals. "I think he has more to come."
Myers was encouraged by the number of Jefferson City athletes who advanced past sectionals to state. He said there were some surprises and a few others who were just ahead of the cut-off for state. Only four sectional entries on the boys and girls teams combined failed to make the top four in their respective events to qualify for state.
"There were only a couple of events that we didn't get over that I thought we would," Myers said. "But we have a lot over there and I've been telling them to get as many over there and you never know.
"People are going to have to step up. Some people may not on other teams and I think we're in good shape right now."
Jefferson City has held a hometown advantage since 1977 at the state championships. That advantage will move closer to home for the Jays and Lady Jays.
Rather than crossing the street to compete at Lincoln University's Dwight T. Reed Stadium, Jefferson City athletes will only have to cross the parking lot this year. The state track and field championships will be held at Adkins Stadium as a result of the construction taking place on Lincoln's campus.
Myers said hosting the meet will only add to his kids' confidence.
"I've been telling them this is our track and we know what it is," Myers said. "My kids are always telling me they run well here. I think it would be really special to go ahead and pull something away on your own track."