AUSTIN -- They range from seniors with a last chance to mine gold to freshmen unsure of their place on the statewide stage. Track and field athletes from Class A to 5A will compete at Mike A. Myers Stadium in what is widely recognized as the best high school track meet in the nation.

The UIL Track and Field Championships open Friday, and in 11 events, Brazos Valley athletes are making return appearances.

Lexington's Amanda Dowdy was second in the high jump to Schulenburg's Allison McNeal last year at state. Dowdy, probably the most decorated high school athlete in the Brazos Valley this season, beat McNeal at the regional meet by clearing 5 feet, 9 inches.

A year ago, Lexington's Elydia Farwell won the 2A 100 meters and finished second in the 200 as a freshman at state. She could point the way for the Brazos Valley's two freshmen qualified for state this year.

Bremond freshman Johnathan White has steadily lowered his 800 times and could contend for a medal after a 2:01.88 at regional. White will leave competition on the baseball diamond Friday to run Saturday.

Cameron freshman Brooks Brashear (45.46) is a finalist in her first year in the 300 hurdles.

The Normangee boys 1,600 relay team dropped the baton at state last year but picked it up and still finished fifth. Two members of that team, twins Jordan and Justin Mullinnix, are on the 800 relay team this season.

This year, the Panthers are not talking gold medal. They are talking Class A record and have a shot. Burton's record time from 2005 is 1:29.05. Normangee has run 1:30.25, more than a second faster than its nearest competitors.

Saturday night when the 5A teams run, athletes like A&M Consolidated's Whitney Harris will gun for a win in the 400, her main event in a brilliant and versatile high school career. She has competed in Austin for four years and will complete a three-year run in the 400, but a Diamond could thwart her path to gold. Diamond Richardson of DeSoto ran 53.78 at regional, the state's fastest time. Houston Westside's Diamond Dixon was clocked in 54.82. Harris ran 55.24 at regionals.

Her teammate, junior Keri Wood, will jet in from an academic competition in Reno, Nev., for the 1,600.

Better than most, Bryan's Pashe Moore will compete in the 100 hurdles.

Competition begins with field events and all 3,200s except 5A's at 9 a.m. Friday. Class 3A and 4A teams begin regular running sessions at 6 p.m. Friday.

• David Campbell's e-mail address is david.campbell@theeagle.com.

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