The South Central Conference Track and Field Squads will gather in Albia tonight for the annual championships. The boys race could come down to between Knoxville, who is the defending champion, Davis County and conference newcomer Cardinal. The Panthers are seeded #1 in four events with T.J. DeJong in the long jump, as are the Panthers 4×100, 400 and the distance medley relay teams. Coach Eric Kellar tells KNIA/KRLS Sports knows everyone will have their very best combinations in the relays to try and steal some points away from the contending teams.

Kellar: “Teams that know that they can’t win conference, will try to load up to win a conference title. They may have their best athlete run in a few open events just to get some points, but it’ll be everyone’s best shot.”

On the girls side, while Knoxville is projected to finish mid-pack, that has not made the Panthers think less of their confidence going into several events. Ashlyn Finarty and Ciara Heffron are one/two respectively in the shot put and Heffron is seeded 1st by over 25 feet in the discus. Coach Michael Splavec says a top three finish is not out of the question against some of the top athletes in the area.

Splavec: “We’re looking to score in the top 3 teamwise. Just looking forward to running against the best athletes in our conference, and no matter what conference it is the best run against the best, so it’s going to be a fun day.”

Davis County is the projected team to win the conference, but Splavec adds if his team or another can steal some points from the Mustangs it might make for an interesting finish.