One meet stands between the Washington Demon track teams and their chance of competing on the state’s biggest stage next week in Des Moines. The Demon boys’ and girls’ will make the trip to Henry County to compete in the Class 3A State Qualifying Meet hosted by Mount Pleasant Community Schools. Washington is set to battle athletes from Davenport Assumption, Centerville, Clear Creek Amana, Fairfield, Fort Madison, Keokuk, and Mount Pleasant.

The top two performances in each event automatically qualify for next week’s Iowa Boys’ and Girls’ State Track Meet at Drake Stadium in Des Moines. The next best eight performances across the state from qualifying meets will also be invited to compete in the state meet.

Entering competition tonight, senior Michael Ellingson is the only Demon boys’ track athlete ranked as a top two seed in the district meet. Ellingson’s top high jump of 5’8″ is the second best in the field, three inches shy of Mount Pleasant’s Jonathan Ita for the top seed.

The girls’ 4×100 meter shuttle hurdle relay squad of Carolan Hoffman, Emma Wood, Mackenzie Knutson, and Jessie Buchholz is Washington’s lone top two seeded event for the girls. The crew’s best time of 1:10.48 is the second fastest in the district, trailing Mount Pleasant by a second.

Postseason track events are scheduled to start at 4 p.m. from the Mapleleaf Athletic Complex in Mount Pleasant.