WESTON -- If the Big 10 Conference Track and Field Championship is any indication, the Grafton girls team and the Bridgeport boys team will be the teams to beat today in the Class AA, Region II Track & Field Championship at Lewis County High School.
Grafton, with half its team missing at the meet, pulled away from Bridgeport to win the Big 10 girls title, while Bridgeport outdistanced Grafton for the boys title.
On the boys side, Grafton's Scott Gemberling won the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 in last week's Big 10 meet and is the frontrunner in all three events.
In the shot put and discus, Grafton's Steve Barrett and Liberty's Andrew Morgan will battle for the titles, while Liberty's Dustin Mutschelknaus has the state's best mark in the pole vault and will also contend in the 110-high hurdles.
Lewis' Jason Koon won both the 100 and 200 last week at the Big 10, and Bridgeport's Chris Hampton will also contend.
In the relays, Bridgeport and Lewis will battle in the 4x100 and 4x200, while Bridgeport, Grafton and Liberty will battle in the 4x400 and 4x800. Bridgeport won the shuttles last week at the Big 10.
In the girls division, Grafton, at full strength, should dominate the distance events. Megan Docherty, Rachel Morgan, Erica Rucker and Nicole Tingler lead the Bearcats' strong contingent in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200. Grafton also has the state's top time in the 4x800.
Philip Barbour's Ebony Jones will contend in three events in the 100, 200 and 400, while Bridgeport's Rachel Williams and Lauren Gilbert, if healthy, can contend in those three events.
Grafton's Kayla McDaniel and Jada Coplin should contend in the pole vault. In the shot put and discus, Lewis' Lindsey Bailey, Lincoln's Andrea Burnett, Bridgeport's Valan Daniel and Liberty's Kristi Savina will battle for the titles.
In the relays, Lincoln's foursome of Ashley Ferris, Casey Currey, Stephanie Cole and Cale Cunningham won the 4x100 and 4x200 in last week's Big 10 meet.
Grafton should contend in the 4x400, while Bridgeport won the shuttles last week.
The meet begins at 11 a.m.
