AUSTIN -- The UIL Track & Field Championships has turned the old military expression "hurry up and wait" on its ear.

For athletes from around Texas who will compete in the state meet at the University of Texas' Mike A. Myers Stadium, it's "wait and hurry up."

After a delay for the swine flu scare that almost forced the cancellation of all regional track meets, the long track and field season concludes Friday and Saturday.

With its 1,600-meter relay team and athletes in five individual events, Bremond likely is the only Brazos Valley team with a shot at winning a state team championship. Senior LiDarral Bailey and sophomore Johnathan White run on the Tigers' relay team. White also will run in the 800 and 400, while Bailey is a four-event competitor who will long jump and compete in both hurdle events.

Normangee sends a relay team to state for the third straight year. The Panthers won the silver medal a year ago in the 800 relay and should contend again.

Brenham's Will Antkowiak will be favored in both the Class 4A 3,200 and 1,600 races Friday. His time of 4:13.54 in the 1,600 is the best by a sophomore in the nation this year. In his first state appearance, he will try to win both races on a day where the predicted temperatures have been scaled back to an expected high of 93 degrees.

Antkowiak and Frisco Centennial's Kyle Garcia are the only runners attempting to double up in the meet's longest races. Mercedes' Alex DeLa Garza decided not to run the 3,200.

Brenham has medal chances in numerous events, but with no relay teams qualified, the Cubs are a long shot for a 4A team championship.

Centerville senior Isabel Reyes takes the track at 8 a.m. Friday to open the Brazos Valley's showing with the 2A 3,200. Until running a breakout time of 12:47.97 at the regional qualifiers' meet in McGregor, Reyes did not appear to be a state contender.

The last Brazos Valley runner Friday is A&M Consolidated's Keri Wood, who runs the 5A girls 1,600 at 7:35 p.m. It will be her third appearance in the race at state.

Overall, Brazos Valley athletes will compete in 26 events.