In all, they will have participants in four events at this weekend's MSHSAA Class 3 Track and Field Championships. "Being the first race, the pressure was off," said Mike Spoede, Warrenton girls coach. "We had a ticket to state." Though the girls 4x800 relay was beaten for the first time this spring, the foursome of Kerri Cunningham, Meghan Stark, Nicole Arnold and Sara Spoede broke a school record for the second straight weekend. The foursome shaved nine more seconds off on Saturday. Their 9:41.1 was good enough to place third. "It was almost hard to believe they took that much time off," Spoede said. McCluer South-Berkeley won the race in 9:36.7, beating runner-up Ladue by three seconds. Only the top four finishers in each event advanced to this weekend's state meet hosted by Lincoln University in Jefferson City. The top eight will earn state medals. "With this group, I don't think they're happy until they stand on the podium," Spoede said referring to the 4x800. The boys team will also be represented at state for the first time since 2004. Not only did senior Trace Coleman punch his ticket to Jefferson City, he captured a sectional championship in the process. One of three pole-vaulters tied at 12 feet, 3 inches, Coleman was the only one to clear 12-6. The mark was a personal best. The week before at districts, his best attempt was 11-6. "He did a great job," said Tracy Kemp, Warrenton boys coach. "I told him to get it and not leave it in their hands. There was some tough competition. "He's really peaking at the right time. I hope he relaxes and competes well." Two other individuals also placed in the top four. A year after advancing in the 400, Cunningham will be competing in the 800. At sectionals, she was third in 2:22.07. Cydney Ross of Villa Duchesne finished first in 2:10.29. "She is focused for state," Spoede said about Cunningham. "She will be ready to go." Stark will be making an appearance in the 3,200. She took second in 12:06.1, trailing only Borgia's Sara Meiners, who won the race in 11:59.7. Warrenton did have one dreaded fifth-place finisher. Samantha Walch missed advancing by one spot in the shot put. Her best throw was 34-5.75 inches. Lea Johnson of John Burroughs was fourth with a throw of 34-11. Two relay teams for the Warriors failed to qualify as well. The girls 4x400, comprised of Lily Kleeschulte, Arnold, Spoede and Cunningham, finished sixth (4:14.73). The boys 4x800 of Danny Dreyer, James Reid, Joel Shortt and Corey Cameron was eighth (8:34). Arnold ran two individual events. She was seventh in the 1,600 (6:04.4), but failed to finish the 3,200 midway through the race due to allergies and a bout with bronchitis earlier in the week, Spoede said. Also competing at sectionals was A.J Wallace, who was seventh in the triple jump (40-7.5).