After a couple of weeks of unpredictable weather, the Oklahoma state track and field meets finally kick into gear this weekend. Class 1A-2A are up first as they take to the track Friday and Saturday at Western Heights High School in Oklahoma City.
Because of the erratic weather, the regional track meets that had been scheduled for last week were unable to be held until May 1 and May 2 at varying locations around the state. That gives participants a short week to recoup and prepare for the biggest meet of the season.
In class A, Turpin High comes into the event as one of the top teams to beat after winning the state title in 2016. Turpin dominated the regional in Laverne by posting a team score of 125. That was 16 points more than the next closest team, Boise City
Turpin is spearheaded by a large group of sprinters. That includes Trevor Mote, who won the 100 and 200 meter dashes at regionals. He also holds the third fastest time in both events for class A.
Turpin's 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams also hold the second fastest times in the class.
Turpin will see a challenge from Weleetka, who also have talented sprinters and relay teams. Along with Okeene, those three programs have the best chance to come away with the state championship.
On the girls side, look for Garber, Sharon-Mutual and Velma-Alma will be in contention to unseat back to back champion Texhoma for the team title.
But the 800-meter relay between Texhoma and Oklahoma Christian Academy could be the highlight of the day. Their best times this season are separated by split seconds.
In class 2A, the Cordell girls track team also entered the postseason as two-time defending champions. But Millwood is looking to reclaim the title. They won it last in 2014.
Some of the best individual races in the meet will belong to the 2A boys. Millwood's Demariyon Houston and Pawhuska's combination of xx Graves and Brian Jeffers should have a tight battle in the 100 meters.
The 110 hurdles features Yale's Jacob Skinner and Tishomingo's Rilee Baker. Both have hit sub 15 second times in the event.
But it will be hard to stop Hooker from winning a third straight state title.
Field events will start at 10 a.m. and the running events kick off at Noon on both Friday during the preliminaries and Saturday for the finals.