craigdailypress.com

After completing a successful regular season, sprinter Jill Adamek, a junior, and distance runner Kelly Christensen, a senior, have one goal in mind this weekend.

On Friday and Saturday in Grand Junction at the Class 4A Western Slope Regional track meet, Adamek and Christensen hope to make it a clean sweep for the boys and girls track teams.

A year ago the girls team captured the team title among 10 teams while the boys finished in second.

"We are going to have to get perfect handoffs in the relays and gun for Palisade," said Adamek, who will be running in the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, the 4x200-meter relay and the medley relay. "We just need to be strong as a team."

The top three in each event qualify for the state meet slated May 19-20 in Lakewood.

"We are taking 21 girls down there to compete," said girls coach Mike Gleason. "Hopefully, we can get more than half of them qualified for state and that is our goal."

Gleason isn't sure how many girls will earn a spot for the state meet.

"We have a lot of question marks for the girls who may or not make it to state," said Gleason. "That is why we are really excited to see what happens."

Meanwhile, Christensen is confident that the boys team will win the regional crown.

"We should win regionals pretty easily," said Christensen who will take part in the 1,600-meter, the 800-meter run, the 4x400-meter relay and the 4x800-meter relay.

"We have beaten every team in the league this year. If we don't come away with the title, then Montrose or Glenwood Springs would win it."

Boys coach Gary Tague believes his team will have a good showing.

"We just want everyone to perform up to their ability," said Tague.

"The kids have really improved. If they go down there really focused and do what they can, we will be in great shape."

"I am taking 21 guys to the state meet," said Tague.

"We should be looking at 12 or 13 guys who will make it to state. A lot of things go wrong at this meet and a lot of things go right."

We are just hoping that it turns out good for the kids."