The boys and girls track and field teams will travel to Mesquite today to compete in the District 15-5A meet. This two-day event will be held at E.H. Hanby Stadium.

After training and competing in meets all year, distance coach Greg Christensen knows his runners are prepared for the meet.

“We feel we are ready to race, all the work is done and now we just have to execute the race plans,” Christensen said.

Girls track coach Logan Kelly said that physical and mental preparation for district is extremely important.

“Our girls are preparing both their minds and bodies to perform well,” Kelly said. “The team knows that it is time to eliminate distractions and focus on track more than other things in life for the next couple of weeks.”

If athletes place in the top four of their event, they will advance to area which takes place Thursday, April 20.

“Our goal is to win the meet today, and to do that, we will have to place in as many races and events as we possibly can,” sophomore Kassidy Litchenburg said.

Last year, the girls track team hurt by sickness that occurred late in the season.

“Our girls need know they need to take care of their bodies in terms of sleep, nutrition, hydration, and avoiding others who are sick,” Kelly said.

Boys track coach Tim Denton said that the team will have to improve their scores and marks in order to advance to area.

“These guys know the opportunity is out there,” Denton said. “If we improve our scores then we’ll reach our goal of being 15-5A district champions.”

In their last meet on March 31, the teams competed at the Allen Eagle Relays and Texas Relays. At the Texas Relays, the girls 4×400 relay ran a season best time of 4:00.21. Junior Grace Ridgeway also placed third in girls pole vault as well. At the Allen meet, sophomore Alaina Pierce tied the school record once again in high jump with a jump of 5-0.

The boys teams also competed at the Texas Relays and Allen Eagle Relays.

Denton said the 4x100m relay team continues to improve each week and the team won four events at the Allen Eagle Relays.

Also at Allen, junior Chase Van Wagoner won the long jump with a leap of 23-2.5.

“The competition is always elevated when it comes to the district meet,” Denton said. “Our coaches are expecting them to elevate their performances as well, and each event will be exciting to watch.”