Portales freshman Collin McAfee jumps over a hurdle during practice on Wednesday.

Seniors Steven Howard, left, and Lukas Pickard practice handing off the baton during time trials for the medley relay on Wednesday. Portales has 25 individuals participating in the state track and field championships, held Friday and Saturday at the Univ

The Portales High track and field teams are sending 25 individuals — 10 boys and 15 girls — to the Class 3A track and field championships, which runs Friday and Saturday at the University of New Mexico.

“We’re pretty excited about going in,” boys coach Glenn Johnson said. “We’re excited about our individual events.

“We’re in a position where we were able to load up the relays (with three teams),” Johnson said. “We’re excited where we are sitting as times go. It is going to be pretty competitive and what we are focusing on now is getting all our relays back to the finals.”

Last year the Portales boys had state champions in discus, shot put, 110 hurdles and 100 meters. Portales finished third overall.

First-year girls coach Sam Lee said Portales has always done well in state competition.

“The girls worked hard all year to qualify,” Lee said. “They all have the attitude to go up there and return (as) state champions when they come back.”

Portales High qualifiers
Boys
Ethan Grubbs, shot put
Adrian Gutierrez, 110 hurdles
Steven Howard, 400 meters
Wyatt Legler, relays
Brandon McAfee, relays
Collin McAfee, 300 hurdles
Lukas Pickard, relays
Cody Small, 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles
Devon Stinson, javelin
Aaron Worton, 110 hurdles

Girls
Veronica Ayala, 200 meters, high jump, triple jump
Christy Beets, high jump
Andrea Brown, relays
Heidi Brown, shot put
Sarah Christensen, relays
Kaitlin Garrett, relays
Tara Johnson, relays
Alexandra Ledbetter, high jump
Alexis Orcutt, 100 hurdles, long jump, triple jump
Angie Porter, relays
Rebecca Porter, relays
Dallas Russell, relays
Jenna Sievers, 400 meters, high jump
Megan Sutton, relays
Jenna Wagner, long jump, triple jump