The 2009 track and field season reaches its conclusion tonight, as the finals of the  State Track and Field Championships take place tonight at Buchanan High.

Here now is a look at the county athletes that will be in competition for a chance at a state titles.

100m

County Participant: Kyle Middlebrooks (Fountain Valley)

Outlook: Middlebrooks (10.54) posted the third best time in yesterday’s qualifying prelims. Cathedral’s Randall Carroll (10.34) had the best time of the meet. Carroll looks to be the favorite, but if Middlebrooks can finish the race as strong as he usually begins it, he will be right there.

200m

County Participant: Ameer Webb (Tustin)

Outlook: Webb looked very strong over the final 100 meters to win his prelim heat. Though Carroll is the favorite here, Webb defeated him at the CIF-SS Masters and is running as strong as anyone in the state.

800m
 
County Participants: Sean Krinik (Valencia); Brendon Confer (Servite)

Outlook: Krinik’s amazing kick was on full display again in prelims, as he surged from the middle of the pack to the front over the final half of the second lap for the win and top time of the day. With his ability to recover and show sprinters speed at the end, Krinik is the favorite here. Confer was the final qualifier, but has the potential for a top five finish if he is runs well.

 
1600m

County Participants: Toby Villalva (El Toro), Tyler Valdes (Dana Hills); James Cameron (Mission Viejo); Zak Phillips (Dana Hills)

Outlook: For the fourth consecutive race, Villalva and Valdes battled for the first three laps before Villalva pulled out the win in prelims. These two are the favorites to be in the top three again at the finals. Though it’s hard to imagine a confident Villalva losing, Valdes is more than capable of winning this race. Cameron is another dark horse here and if he is close at the end, has the speed to pull it out. Phillips would appear to be more of a long shot, but is a tough runner and should be somewhere in the middle of the pack.

 
3200m

County Participant: Matt McElroy (Edison)

Outlook: This race produced one of the most dominant efforts in prep running history a season ago, when former Riverbank star German Fernandez burned up the track on the way to a national and state meet record time of 8:34.23. Though unlikely that time will be challenged, the action should be no less compelling. The state’s top two times of the season were turned in on the same day, as Novato junior Erik Olsen won the North Coast Section Meet of Champions 3200 in 8:55.06, while Camarillo sophomore Heydon Wolff (8:57.66) outlasted McElroy (8:59.91) to win the Masters. That trio are the only runners in the state this season to crack 9:00.00 and it is very likely that one will emerge as the state champion.

 
300m Hurdles

County Participants: Mikey Fischetti (Dana Hills); Brandon Phillips (Irvine)

Outlook: Fischetti (37.60) posted a seasonal best time yesterday in prelims and looked extremely good. In most years, he would be a strong state champion contender. Unfortunately, this is the year of La Sierra senior Reggie Wyatt, who set a national high school federation record in prelims with an astonishing 35.02 that had the entire stadium buzzing. Barring some unforeseen circumstances, Wyatt should claim the top spot here, with Fischetti having a shot at the top four. Phillips ran well at prelims too, and a top five finish could be with in reach.

 
400m Relay

County Team: Orange Lutheran

Outlook: The Lancers were sixth in qualifying yesterday and their time of 41.70 ranks them sixth all-time in county history. Another strong effort here could earn them a higher place in both the finals and in county history.

 
1600m Relay

County Participant: Orange Lutheran
 
Outlook: The Lancers (3:17.47) looked strong in the final event of prelims last night, finishing with the second best overall qualifying time. With the Lancers running extremely well, a state championship in this event a distinct possibility.

 
High Jump

County Participant: Harrison Steed (JSerra)

Outlook: Steed cleared all his heights on first attempts, and should be right in the mix for his second straight state title.

 
Long Jump

County Participant: Devin Harrison (Dana Hills)

Outlook: Harrison was fifth in prelims and should again be in the top five in the finals, though a higher finish is within reach for the sophomore.

Pole Vault

County Participants: Michael Woepse (Mater Dei); Matt Cooper (Mater Dei); Sean McNanny (Mission Viejo)

Outlook: Woepse looks to complete a dominant year with a state title. With his seasonal best mark of 16-9, he is the top vaulter in county history, the best in the state this season and currently fifth in the nation. McNanny and Cooper both cleared 15-3 in prelims and should finish in the top seven.

Discus

County Participant: Cecil Whiteside (Newport Harbor); Jake Pendleton (Esperanza)

Outlook: Whiteside uncorked another strong throw in prelims, going 181 feet, six inches to finish second. If he can find a similarly big throw and correct a couple mechanical issues in the finals, Whiteside is a state champion threat. Pendleton claimed the final spot in qualifying and has gone over 180 feet this season, making him a threat.

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