It should be a fun weekend in Wichita for Marion track and field fans and participants.

Nineteen Marion High School athletes will compete Friday and Saturday in 15 events on both the boys and girls’ sides for a chance to make some noise at the state meet.

Both teams took third place Friday at the Marion regional, and should finish near the top this weekend at state.

Individuals and teams make up the story for this weekend.

Julia Zeiner will try to turn her three regional golds into state golds, while two girls’ and one boys’ relay squads work together to earn medals as well.

Nick Klenda will return to the discus this year with a chip on his shoulder. The junior just missed out on placing a year ago, taking eighth in the event.

On a team dominated by juniors and seniors, freshman Whitney Gordon finds herself competing in two events at the meet.

The 4x100-meter relay team will try to defend its state championship, but has taken some bumps this season.

Kristen Steinborn, Danae Edwards, Zeiner, and Kayley Heerey brought home a gold from state in 2008. In regionals this past week, the squad took second. Steinborn and Heerey have fought with injuries all season, but this weekend is the time pain takes a backseat to adrenaline.

Senior Camille Christensen has come a long way since medaling her freshman season.

Christensen battled injuries and did not qualify for state her sophomore or juniors seasons. She bounced back from an injury in the fall to qualify for the state cross country meet, and capped off her successful senior track season with a regional championship Friday in the 3200m run.

It will be fun to see what she has left for one final run as a Warrior.

Another senior, Elliot Hett, will be making his first trip to the state meet. Hett was fourth in both hurdles races, and has competed well all season in the events.

Sheldon Boone and Mitchell Leppke had a great competition Friday in the javelin, as the junior Boone edged out his senior teammate by just eight inches.

The two finished first and second and were the only throwers to throw past 159 feet at regionals.

It was good to see Boone back to his old form after struggling during the middle of the season.

Tylor Neil is back for a third time at state, competing again in the triple jump.

The dedication these athletes have given to reach this meet only can be known to themselves and their coaches.

Their stories this weekend will make for memories that will last a lifetime.

It should be a fun weekend for Warrior fans.