Runners will compete at the area meet on Friday, April 22 at Wylie High School.

The weather calls for a high of 76 degrees, with a 60 percent chance of precipitation, 64 percent humidity, and 10 mph wind.  Both individual events and and relays will take place on Friday.

Girls varsity track coach, Logan Kelly, is preparing for each member of his team to place in the top four of their event. Kelly will have a total of six athletes who will be competing in the area meet.

“I feel that the majority of our area qualifiers will have a strong shot qualifying for the Regional meet if things go according to plan,” Kelly said.

Freshman Carson Hockersmith has been preparing and focusing for the upcoming area meet on Friday.

“My goal for the area meet is to run well enough to advance out to the regional meet,” Hockersmith said. “Wakeland has girl that runs similar times to mine so I will have good competition in both races. I’m making sure I eat good and drink lots of water and get a lot of sleep. I am really excited.”

Senior runner Riley Gournay is preparing for her last area meet of her high school career.

“There is a girl from Wylie and McKinney North that I know I am going to be competing against in long jump,” Gournay said. “I think our biggest competition right now is McKinney North and Frisco Heritage [in the 4×100]. We have good handoffs and the best runners in the race. I’m just trying to stay calm and focus on what I need to do to get out of our area into regionals.”

During the area meet last week, Kelly had many members of his team out with the flu, which is spreading around Lovejoy.

“I have informed our athletes to stay away from any sick students and athletes,” Kelly said. “Our team had several members out at the district track meet due to the flu, we can not afford to lose anyone for the area meet on Thursday.”

Boys varsity track coach, Tim Denton will have seven individual members of his team competing in events and he will have his 4X100 team competing also. Freshman Jake Chamberlin will compete in the 400 meter event, sophomore Ryan Brands and senior Grant Tiff will both compete in the 1600 meter and 3200 meter events.

“Jake Chamberlin, Ryan Brands, and Grant Tiff will have to run in two events, but it’s something they’ve been doing all year,” said Denton.

Junior Grant Tiff thinks that the team has a good chance to further advance to regionals.

“To advance to regionals, we need to place in the top four of our events, I think me, Ryan, and other members of the team will have a very good chance of doing so,” Tiff said.