Grant Union Prospector Kenzie Wilson competes in the triple jump earlier this season. She placed second in the event at the State Track and Field Championships in Eugene Friday behind teammate Kori Pentzer.

JOHN DAY — Grant Union head track and field coach Sonna Smith is getting her team on the mark for rest of the season.

The 2A-6 Wapiti League Districts are a little more than three weeks away, and the Prospector athletes hope to gain state-qualifying results.

Smith, who’s coached the team for 21 years, said the group of 32 includes several underclassmen.

“They actually add a lot to the team,” she said. “A lot of them are above where I thought they would be at the beginning of the season, for being younger.”

She added, “We’re lucky that most of them have already participated in a varsity sport, and that helps them realize the intensity I expect.”

The team includes three seniors, Kenzie Wilson, Andrew Copenhaver and Samantha Brock. Each competed at state last year.

“I plan to make it to state in pole vault and show up better than last year,” said Copenhaver, who’s been in track since seventh grade and is competing in pole vault and javelin. “I plan to get some new (personal records) this year.”

Wilson’s events include high jump, long jump, triple jump and the 4×400 relay.

“I’m looking forward to a great season, and I plan on making it back to state. It’s been great working with John Houk (the jump coach). I’ve been working with him since fourth grade.”

Brock, involved in track since seventh grade, competes in the long jump, triple jump, hurdles and 4×400.

“I’m really excited to see how our team does,” she said. “Overall, we’re pretty strong on the girls side.”

The Grant Union girls team came in second behind 4A Ontario at the April 9 Oster Burns Lions Invitational in Burns, out of 12 teams.

Smith is aided by five assistant coaches who help train athletes in the various events, including Ken Boethin, hurdles; John Houk, long jump and triple jump; Kelsey Wright, javelin and high jump; Angie Lusco, discus and shot put; and Buzz Gilmore, pole vault. Smith trains athletes for sprints, distance and relay.

“I’m so thankful for my coaches,” Smith said. “The quality of performances that I’m getting from these athletes wouldn’t be possible without these coaches that specialize.”

The current challenge, Smith said, is avoiding injuries as they head down the stretch, competing while training for districts.

The Meet of Champions in Salem, set for Saturday, is the next big meet.

Nine athletes have qualified for the event, including four upperclassmen and five underclassmen.

“It’s 1A-4A meet, and they have to qualify,” Smith said. “The standards to qualify are equal to or above the state qualifying for 2A.”

“Those who go to the Meet of Champions usually end up being close to the number that go to state,” she added. “This is the only time they get the quality of competition and get to see athletes from the west side of the state.”

Grant Union hosted the GU Small Schools Meet on Tuesday of this week.

Smith, training runners on the track, quipped, “We’re already taking for granted that we have the new track.”

Construction of the new eight-lane track was completed in the summer of 2014.

“It’s nice to compete at home and train at home,” she said. “I’m excited to compete on Prairie City’s new track. That gives us a total of four meets within the county — three here and one in Prairie City.”