Craig Daily Press

Craig — Some team members already have done it.

Some team members haven’t.

Those who have said the pressure is now off.

Those who haven’t will get the chance to this weekend.

The Moffat County High School track team competes in the two-day state regionals beginning Friday in Grand Junction, and this is the last chance for Bulldogs athletes — who haven’t already — to qualify for the state championships in Denver beginning May 16.

“Most of the kids have been to regionals before,” girls coach Todd Trapp said. “It’s a big deal, but it’s not that big of a deal. We had a great performance at Tiger (Invitational), and we are just looking to carry that on throughout.”

Two school records were broken last week at the Tiger Invitational.

Juniors Erin Urbanoski and Alicia Nelson set new school-best standards in their chosen events.

Urbanoski set the girls long jump record, leaping 17 feet, 9 inches.

Nelson clocked a time of 5 minutes 8.58 seconds in the girls 1,600-meter run.

“That’s three records we’ve broken this year,” Trapp said. “So far.”

Nelson missed the school record in the 800 by 7/10ths of a second.

“The way Alicia is running right now, she could get that record at any time,” Trapp said.

Nelson has pre-qualified in her events; something boys coach Gary Tague said is a luxury.

“To be pre-qualified really takes a lot of pressure off the athletes,” he said. “It lets them go out and be more aggressive.”

Nelson qualified in the girls 800 and 1,600. She joins freshmen Maddy Jourgensen, Nike Cleverly and senior Angie Charchalis on the girls 4x800 relay team, Urbanoski in girls long jump, Myiah Bengston in girls shot put and JT Haddan in boys shot put and discus.

“My goals now are to set new” personal records, Nelson said, “and to win the region.”

For the rest of the team members, a third-place finish in their chosen events are needed to advance to state.

Senior Mike McNicol knows what’s at stake.

This is his fourth trip to regionals, his best finish being second-place in the 800 last year.

“This is it for me,” he said. “I know the guys really well I’m up against (in the 800). Basically there are five of us battling for three spots.”

Tague likes McNicol’s chances, even though McNicol has been battling a leg injury this season.

“Depending on how Mike’s injury feels, I think he can definitely get in” to state, Tague said. “I like Josh (Classen) in the 400, (Colton) Conrad in the 200 and (Brian) Ivy in the triple jump. I think they all have a chance to get to the next stage.”

Ivy was a little more optimistic than his coach.

“I’m pretty sure I can get top three in both my events,” long jump and triple jump, he said. “I want over 43 (feet) in the triple and over 21 (feet) in the long.”

Jourgensen, Cleverly and fellow freshman Lauren Roberts are each making their first appearance in regionals.

“I’m a little, but not really” nervous, Roberts said.

“I’m not nervous now,” Jourgensen said. “But when I get to the starting line, I’ll probably feel like I’m going to pass out.”

Jourgensen shouldn’t have to worry.

Trapp said the team — girls and boys — has been working hard, and they will taste the reward for that hard work this weekend.

Tague agreed.

“It’s all up to conditioning at this point,” he said, “and we have a well-conditioned team. Like I said before, I like our chances.”