The Calvary Lutheran track and field teams are out to reverse the misfortunes its relay teams have had at the Class 1 state track and field championships.
The Lady Lions had three relays at last year's championships - all finishing one spot from reaching the podium.
"They are all just hungry to get to that final," Calvary Lutheran track coach Kerri Morris said.
The boys 4x100-meter relay team did make the finals and placed eighth last season. The Lions weren't as fortunate in the 4x200, dropping a baton and being disqualified.
"And three of these boys were on that team last year and clearly don't want to go through that again," Morris said. "We've really been hitting the handoffs. Probably have better chemistry between them this year, so I hope that works in their favor."
Sam Felger, Austin Meisel and Reece Going will get a second chance this afternoon at Adkins Stadium. R.J. Mays is the newcomer to the group and will join those three in the 4x100 as well.
The 4x200 preliminaries will start at about 12:30 p.m. and the 4x100 prelims will begin around 1:30 p.m.
Reece Going will continue his busy day at 3:25 p.m. in the 200-meter dash prelims and as a member of the 4x400 at 4:30 p.m. Matt Allen, Jimmie Wehmeyer and Grant Going will also run the relay.
"He's just a fun kid to watch run," Morris said of Reece Going. "You watch him as he's grown and developed, his legs just cycle so fast."
The Lady Lions will have a pair of relay teams competing.
Andrea Stanford, Sarah Johnson, Olivia Bexten and Katy Allen will run in the 4x100 prelims at 1:55 p.m. today. The 4x800 team of Johnson, Baileigh Morris, Madeline Wilson and Emma Homfeldt will run at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The 4x100 team is seeded ninth.
"The sprint relays are just fast," Morris said. "I tell them to not sweat the seeding."
The 4x800 has the fifth-fastest seed time.
"I feel like the kids have been really focused and getting to work on some things that for this group is kind of unusual," Morris said. "We've been doing a lot of pack running the last day or two. So trying to simulate it a little bit for our girls 4x800 and even for our boys 4x400. Sarah Johnson is our lead runner, kind of getting her out in the group and learning to cut in with them and kind of getting them adjusted for that whole other level."
Homfeldt, the anchor of the 4x800, will be aiming for Calvary Lutheran history today in the 800-meter run. She enters the race, which will begin around 3:15 p.m., with the fastest seed time, and a win would be a first for the Lady Lions at the state meet.
"It's hard to not think about that," Morris said. "She's strong and she's an aggressive runner. She wants it but only because she wants it for Calvary. Emma is kind of like Reece. She's very team oriented."
Olivia Bexten will be the first Lady Lion in action today, competing in the high jump at 9:30 a.m.
Matt Allen will start competition in the long jump at 10 a.m.
Reece Going will attempt to qualify for the 200-meter dash finals for the second straight year. He enters the prelims, which are at 3:25 p.m. today, with the second-fastest seed time.
"Reece is really looking strong," Morris said. "His time has just kind of continued to come down."
Luke Felger (discus), Katy Allen (long jump) and Amanda Braun (javelin) will all compete Saturday.
Felger is making his first appearance at state after falling four spots short at last year's sectionals.
"He has talked since then that's where he wanted to be," Morris said. "He's had a great week of practice. He knows what he needs to be doing and he's working with coach (Matt) Fife. He's a very focused individual. He's a leader."