by joanna

Follow me on Twitter (@joannachadwick) for more frequent updates. Check below for video.

5:20 p.m. — Wow, what a difference in my work load in the afternoon session. There are so many more area teams to follow. Since 3 p.m., Winfield’s Jeremy Groene won the Class 4A discus, Andover’s Grant Ralston won the 5A triple jump and Maize South’s Kerry Graber won the 4A triple jump.

I have video with each one — check it out at the blog home page.

2 p.m. –There’s still a few field events going on in the smaller classes, but we’ve started running prelims for Class 4A, 5A and 6A.

And the weather is still awesome. Yes!

11:35 a.m. — Eagle columnist Bob Lutz is sitting next to me in the press box. I feel special. I also just handed him a story I’ve been wanting to do all year. That’s the kind of person I am.

Taylor Eldridge and I are reminiscing about the 2010 state track meet. West Elk’s Sonny Lee and his dive across the finish line are fond memories.

I want to give a shout out to my parents, who come every year from Minnesota to watch my three boys while hubby and I are at state track for two days.

10:11 a.m. — It’s a cool, dry day. Loving it. I’m fascinated by two athletes I’ve interviewed so far — Halstead’s Dakota Becker, who won the 3A pole vault, and Chaparral’s Sione Siale, who won the 3A javelin. Neither was particularly happy because neither did as well as they wanted — even though they won state titles. They are that competitive.

Check out how busy the infield is before the 400 relay prelims. Just crazy. The video is below.

8:45 a.m. — It’s state track! And it’s a gorgeous day, in the low 60s with sun. I’d like to keep it this way.

I’ll be updating this blog throughout today and Saturday, so check back. Also follow me on Twitter, @joannachadwick, for more frequent updates.

Check out VarsityKansas.com home page for state previews on baseball, softball, soccer and track (Mulvane’s Dale Landes and boys track notes). Check out my story on Bill Faflick, the state track meet director.