Two teams that are in search of state hardware got off to a good start at the Missouri Class 4 State Track and Field Championships Friday.

For the second straight year, the senior is crowned a champion in the event, this time leaping more than a foot farther than her nearest competitor.

Long before many of their senior teammates arrived Thursday morning at Blue Springs High School, distance standouts Stephen Mugeche, James Barnett, Simon Belete and state alternate Dominic Piccinini were jogging around the Peve Stadium track under the watchful eye of assistant track and head cross country coach Frank Gallick.