Maybe it’s because of a coach’s persistence or perhaps just a tradition that stubbornly refuses to be broken.For whatever reason, the Warrenton girls track team continually produces quality distance relay teams.“It’s one of my favorite events of the meet, and it starts off the meet,” acknowledged Coach Mike Spoede.And once again, the 3,200-meter relay team is poised to make another return to the state meet. The Warriors failed to qualify last year, following a run of six straight appearances at the MSHSAA Championships.“What a great thing it would be if we could get the 4x800 back to state,” said Spoede. “To take an event that has four different girls would be a good thing for our program.”But on Saturday at the Class 3 District 4 meet, Warrenton’s distance crew moved one step closer to returning, as one of five events to advance to sectionals for the Warriors.“Getting five different events through showed a great day for us too,” said Spoede. “We had a lot of good things happen.”This year’s 3,200-relay team, consisting of Mary Broker, Madeline Carlson, Andrea Poole and Meagan Sanders, ran a 10:37 to finish second at districts.“These girls have stepped up,” said Spoede. “We knew we had a solid two with Andrea and Madeline, but we had two spots opened. But as the season has progressed, the young girls have stepped up.”In particular, Poole has emerged as an immediate threat during her freshman year. Already having banked an appearance at the MSHSAA Cross Country Championships in the fall, she is looking to make a trip to state in two individual track events as well.Poole placed third in the mile run with a time of 5:43, while clocking a 2:32 in the 800-meter race.“I didn’t know quite how her times would break down with being in three events,” said Spoede. “I definitely had hopes for her going into the mile. She had to perform, and she stepped up.”Another early surprise has been the emergence of sophomore Corizma Blair, who transferred to Warrenton prior to this season.She will also compete for a chance to advance in two individual events.Blair placed third in the 200-meter race with a finish of 27.7 seconds. She charged on in the 100-meter dash as well, crossing in 13.04 seconds.“Corizma has worked hard and really started to come around in her open events,” said Spoede. “I’m really happy for her, because she really had a great day.”The Warriors will compete next at the Class 3 sectional at Troy High School on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.POOLE PUSHES THROUGHDerrick Forsythe Photo.