Wayne will know if it is in contention for the Division I boys state track championship before the running finals begin at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Warriors are in the unique position of having the bulk of their potential team points in the field events. The pole vault, shot put and long jump start at noon Saturday and discus and high jump are set for 3 p.m.

The pole vault and discus are events that can potentially mean big points for Wayne. Mike Shiverdecker and Andrew Russell are in the pole vault. Lovell Peterson and Darien Thornton are in the discus. Shiverdecker was fifth last year.

Thornton is also in the shot. Jordan Latimer is in the long jump and high jump.

Wayne’s only track presence is in the 800 meter relay and Leonard Staten in the 110 hurdles.

• Dunbar’s chances for a state team title in Division II are not totally tied to the field events like Wayne.

But appearances near the top of the podium by Michael Ohiembor in the long jump and Myron McGuire in the high jump would make it easier to fend off Akron St. Vincent St. Mary, which is expected battle with Dunbar for the title.

Ohiembor, who is also in the 400-meter run, has the second-best effort in the long jump (22-9) from last week’s regionals. He went 23-1 at the Dayton district. McGuire is a surprise state qualifier after jumping 6-5 at the regional.

Dunbar has LaTrell Turner in the 100 and 200, Eric Blair and Nicholas Lane in the 110 hurdles, Lane and Jason Holloway in the 300 hurdles plus four relays.

The Wolverines won the state indoor D-II/III indoor title in March, but have not won a state outdoor team title since 1990.

• The Division II 400 race has the potential to be the best in any class.

Thurgood Marshall’s Alante Oliver and Joe Ballard put on a great show at the Dayton regional. Oliver won in 47.22 to tie the D-II state record, and Ballard, in his first year of track, ran 47.39.

Both are hoping to join an elite club sub-47 second runners at the state meet. According to Ohio Track and Field News record, only six runners have ever broken that barrier in state history.

Oliver is also in the 200 and Marshall has 400, 800 and 1,600 relay teams. The Cougars could be in contention for a team trophy if all goes correctly.

• Versailles Sam Prakel is looking for a double in the 1,600 and 3,200 in Division II. Through a combination of swimming and strength training over the winter he has dropped his PR in the 1,600 seven seconds and 20 seconds in the 3,200.