The long-distance runners paced the Warrenton track team by qualifying the boys and girls 4x800 teams. The girls also will have individuals competing in three events, along with the 4x400 relay. Meanwhile, the Warrenton boys managed to have to qualify for sectionals in three events. Only the top four finishers in each event at districts advance to this weekend's sectional round, also being hosted by Mexico High School. "We will not be laying back on our laurels," said Spoede, Warrenton girls coach. "This is the meet we've been focusing on. This is definitely a work week for us." One more week of competing is at stake. The Class 3 state championships will be held May 23-24 at Lincoln University in Jefferson City. "Every event we have a legitimate chance of moving on to state," Spoede said. Three district champions will be leading the way. The girls 4x800 remained unbeaten on the season and broke a school record in the process. The winning foursome of Kerri Cunningham, Meghan Stark, Nicole Arnold and Sara Spoede won in 9:50.5, easily distancing itself from the runner-up team by 16 seconds. "After they got under the 10-minute mark, they started thinking more about it," Spoede said about the relay breaking the school mark. "A couple of the girls stepped up." In the 800, Cunningham breezed to the win in 2:23.8. Also claiming a first-place medal was Stark, who captured the 3,200 crown in 11:49.5. Stark also qualified individually in the 1,600, nabbing the fourth spot in 5:33.8. Arnold also had a pair of top-four finishes. She was third in the 1,600 (5:31.6) and fourth in the 3,200 (12:01.2). The final girls' sectional qualifier was the 4x400 relay. Lily Kleeschulte teamed up with Arnold, Cunningham and Spoede on the relay, which took second in 4:17.82. "The 4x400 has been a sleeper," Spoede said. "They did really well. Looking at sectionals, they will be fighting for that magical fourth spot." Trace Coleman was the top finisher on the Warrenton boys team, placing third in the pole vault after clearing 11 feet, 6 inches. The senior has a great opportunity to earn a state berth with another top-four finish this weekend. "It will be a battle," said Tracy Kemp, boys coach. "It will come down to who is consistent and doesn't have the misses." The 4x800 relay, comprised of James Reid, Danny Dreyer, Joel Shortt and Corey Cameron, was fourth in 8:36.2. A.J. Wallace, hindered most of the spring by a hamstring injury, was fourth in the triple jump (40-6.5). Also missing out on advancing to sectionals was Trinity Durbin, who placed fifth in the pole vault (11-6). In the team standings, the Warrenton girls finished fourth with 68 points. Kirksville won the team crown with 105 points, followed by Hannibal (74) and Moberly (69). The boys team, meanwhile, was 12th with 25 points. Hannibal took first with 109 points. Moberly (85) and Fulton (66) rounded out the top three schools.