~ Saxony Lutheran brings more entries to the state meet this weekend.

Saxony Lutheran is graduating its first senior class this year, and when the spring sports season is over, it will be safe to say few graduating classes in the area have been more successful.

From the time Saxony Lutheran's cross country team began the school's first varsity season three years ago, trophies have come pouring in.

"It feels really good to be part of something that's taken off so quickly because other schools aren't doing what we are doing," senior Tim Lorenz said. "We've already accomplished the kind of accomplishments some of the small schools around have, and we've only been at it four years."

The Crusaders will head to Dwight T. Reed Stadium in Jefferson City, Mo., for the Class 1 and 2 track and field championships on Friday and Saturday, and appear primed to add to their trophy haul.

In three school years, the Crusaders have already won two cross country state titles -- back-to-back crowns that followed a fourth-place trophy in 2003.

Last year, the Crusaders track team added a state title in the 3,200-meter relay, but finished just out of the team trophies in fifth place.

"I really didn't see us getting this far," senior Trey Maevers said. "In cross country it was fun, we knew we had a good team. In track, I'm in awe of what these guys can do. When I started here, I didn't think we'd do this much this fast."

Added Saxony track and field coach Larry Cleair: "I think right now they don't realize how special it is. The seniors have had a couple of cross country state championships, three district championships in cross country, the basketball team's done well and the baseball team will hopefully do well [today].

"To be in contention for a state championship in track, I've been involved with high school track for 30 years now and four while I was in high school, and for them to be in this position is kind of a once-in-a-lifetime thing."

This year, the Crusaders have added a pair of relays to their state qualifiers as well as more qualifiers in individual events. Among those making the trip is freshman Ross Gage.

Gage said he is looking forward to continuing the tradition the seniors have helped create.

"Hopefully, we can keep up doing just as much and maybe better than what they've done," Gage said. "Our school's just beginning and hopefully we can carry on what they've done."

Saxony Lutheran will defend its 3,200 relay title Friday in the meet's first running event. Max Wieser, Trey Maevers, Grant Lehmann and Brandon Etzold will run in the 3,200 relay. The same four ran to the title last year.

"There's definitely pressure being the returning champs of the 4-by-8, but we're still pretty confident at the same time," Lehmann said. "We still have the same team, and we've already run the state time we ran last year and we know we can do better. "

Etzold, Alex Jauch and Lehmann each earned individual all-state honors last season.

Lorenz also is back for the second straight year. The area's top performer in the shot put said he'd like to join Saxony's runners in earning all-state honors.

"It'd be nice," he said. "All the guys got state first place, got recognition, and it would be nice to help them get that recognition again. Join in the fun."

Along with the 3,200 relay, Saxony Lutheran should contend for a state title in the 1,600 relay as well. Saxony Lutheran has defeated Class 3 Notre Dame -- the Bulldogs were all-state in the 3,200 relay last year -- in both events on several occasions this season. The Crusaders won both the 3,200 and 1,600 relays at the Perryville Invitational, over both Notre Dame and Perryville.

"Winning the Perryville meet in the 4-by-4 and 4-by-8 was kind of a jump start," Lehmann said. "It gave us more confidence for the state meet knowing we can win against 3A and 4A schools."

With a couple of breaks in a few events, the Crusaders could very well come home with another state title.

"There's always a chance you could have someone run better than you, but in a lot of the races we're the team to beat," Cleair said. "Especially after last year winning the 4-by-8, a lot of track coaches I talked to were saying I wish I was you. They knew we had a good team coming back."

State qualifiers

Chaffee's boys will run in the 800 relay along with the Crusaders, and also will have Walker Rice in the shot put.

On the girls side Chaffee has four individual qualifiers and two relays. Christa Beck, Whitney Schlosser and Sarah Dooley all qualified for the second straight year. The Red Devils will also run in the 1,600 and 3,200 relays.

In Class 2, Scott City will send a pair of individuals as well as its girls 3,200 relay team to Jefferson City.

The Rams will have Amanda Braun in the 100 hurdles, Derek Goodin in the 300 hurdles and the relay team of Whitney Tapley, Megan Eaton, Brittany Licare and Beth Razer.

Kelly will also have three state entries. Tara Johnson, a freshman, will compete in the 1,600 and 3,200, and Spencer Ayers will compete in the shot put.

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State qualifiers

Class 1

BOYS

Saxony Lutheran -- Max Wieser (3,200 relay, 800 relay, 1,600 relay); Trey Maevers (3,200 relay); Grant Lehmann (3,200 relay, 800 relay, 1,600 relay, 400); Brandon Etzold (3,200 relay, 1,600 relay, 800, 1,600); Casey Petzoldt (800 relay), Alex Jauch (800 relay, 1,600 relay, 200, 300 hurdles); Tim Lorenz (shot put); Ross Gage (800

Chaffee -- Colin Dannenmueller (800 relay); Garrett Pepple (800 relay); Gage Harrell (800 relay); Hunter Thomason (800 relay); Walker Rice (shot put)

GIRLS

Chaffee -- Rachel Hendrix (3,200 relay, 1,600 relay); Tara Propst (3,200 relay); Nikole Johnson (3,200 relay, 1,600 relay); Heather Thomason (3,200 relay); Tracy Martin (1,600 relay); Christian Murakami (1,600 relay); Christa Beck (100 hurdles); Whitney Schlosser (discus); Amber Kirk (discus); Sarah Dooley (shot put)

Bell City -- Carerra Patterson (800)

Class 2

BOYS

Scott City -- Derek Goodin (300 hurdles)

Kelly -- Spencer Ayers (shot put)

GIRLS

Scott City -- Whitney Tapely (3,200 relay); Megan Eaton (3,200 relay); Brittany Licare (3,200 relay); Beth Razer (3,200 relay); Amanda Braun (100 hurdles)

Kelly -- Tara Johnson (1,600, 3,200)