Even though each team is devoid of some key components from last year, Trinity Episcopal and WCCA should go at it again in track and field starting today.

The two boys’ teams were neck and neck from the district meet on last year with the Rams claiming the first one and the Saints claiming South State and State. This year may be different when everything cranks up today at Silliman.

Well, at least for Trinity. The Saints’ five seniors told head coach David King they had enough of track.

&uot;We’re the defending state champion and were looking forward to making another run at a state championship,&uot; King said. &uot;Unfortunately, my seniors quit. We’ll have to make do with some eighth-graders in their place. I’ve got to replace them with some young guys. WCCA will be the clear-cut favorite to win district and state. It’s a tough break, and I’m disappointed.&uot;

WCCA head coach Paul Hayles was getting geared up to match up against the Saints for the title today without knowledge of the Saints’ losses. But he still isn’t ruling Huntington in some events, although the Hounds may be down in total numbers.

But the Rams should be strong in relays and field events, including defending state champ Brad Pritchard in the high jump.

&uot;We beat them at district and lost at South State and state,&uot; WCCA head coach Paul Hayles said. &uot;We had some runners who didn’t place, and hopefully we’ve learned from those mistakes. Most of it was preparation, and it caught up with them. Hopefully we can go down there and have a good track meet &045; if we do what we’re capable of.&uot;

With the five departures, the Saints pin their hopes of a district title on Nason Stephens, who is strong in the 100, 200 and 400. His best times include 11.1 seconds in the 100, 22.8 in the 200 and a MPSA-best 51.0 in the 400.

&uot;Nason is the backbone, anyway,&uot; King said. &uot;We’ll just go down there and try to surround him with some gritty eighth-graders and do the best we can.&uot;

With the Rams, it’s Pritchard, the relay teams and Travis Allen in the jumps that could be big factors today for the Rams. The 6-2 Pritchard set a new mark at the state meet last year when he cleared 6-5 1/2, but he cleared 6-6 this spring at a meet in Centreville.

He’ll also compete in the triple jump and 110 hurdles today.

&uot;Brad has that track body,&uot; Hayles said. &uot;He’s almost what you see on TV. It’s tailor-made for high hurdles, and he does an excellent job on the triple jump. When he’s on, he’s one of the best in MPSA. He hasn’t been pushed in the high hurdles, but there is a kid from University Christian that can.&uot;

Allen has yet to lose in the long jump and registered 19-11 his last time out, and he was state runner-up last year to Drew Bright of Strider. Allen and Duston Dor go in the 100, and Dor also is strong in the 200.

The relay teams will be big with the mile relay team sitting undefeated. The team has Benton, Stork Deville, Trenton Nettles and Pritchard. Brandon Wisner is strong in pole vault having cleared 11-6.

In girls, the Huntington Lady Hounds like their chances, particularly since their strength will be in the distances races. The Lady Hounds have others mixed in with the hurdles and relays that could make a winning combination.

Jessie Moak runs the 800 and 3,200, while Marie Miller and Michelle Deckerlegand go in the 1,600.

&uot;I think we’ve got a shot at winning the district,&uot; Huntington head coach Penny Moak said. &uot;It’s going to come down to us and Tensas, probably. I think we’ll do well in distance and hurdles. Jessie has been winning pretty regularly. Her only losses have been to bigger schools.&uot;