COLUMBUS - They know what they have to do.

Just a look at the qualifying sheets tells the story as area track athletes size up their chances at the Ohio High School Athletic Association state track and field meet Friday and Saturday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

A total of eight area athletes will compete in the Division II and III state meets.In Division II, Rock Hill junior Jason Massie will run in the 200-meter dash and South Point sophomore Chris Smith throws in the shot put and discus.

Chesapeake's Brent Ransbottom will high jump Saturday in the Division III meet.

On the girls' side, Ironton sends four representatives in Division II.

Sophomore Mandi Boykin returns for the 100-meter dash after placing third last year. Boykin and freshman Jessica Waddle will run in the 200-meter dash.

Ironton's 4×200-meter relay team of junior Ciara Taylor, sophomore Rachel Walker, Waddle and Boykin will compete as well.

Making the trip for South Point is sophomore Sarah Lee who runs in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and the long jump.

Massie has the 11th best time coming into the state meet, but only three runners have a time under 22 seconds. Kendell Davis of Alliance ran a 21.80 in the regional while Arthur Thomas of Akron Buchtel had a 21.95 time and Chris Rowell of Warrensville Heights ran a 21.99.

Boykin has the fourth fastest time coming into the meet.

Defending state champion Cachet Murray of Girard, who ran an 11.82 last year, had a 12.06 time in the regionals.

Boykin ran a 12.43 in the regionals while Shavae Wright of Lima Shawnee had a 12.33 time and LaTalia Jones of Youngstown Chaney ran a 12.40 clocking. Lee has a 12.73 time in the 100.

In the 200-meter dash, Murray brings the best time of 24.70 to the meet as she defends her title. Boykin has the eighth-best qualifying time at 25.84.

The Ironton relay team comes in with a 1:47.63 qualifying time, but the group is capable of a faster time. However, the key will be Boykin who runs in the 100-meter semifinals in the event prior to the 4×200 relay.

Lee has leaped 16-11.5 in the long jump, tried for ninth among qualifiers. The favorite is - you guessed it - Murray with a leap of 19-7.50.

Smith threw the shot put 52-4.5 in the regionals. The favorites are Terry Mills of Kenton at 62-11.75 and Evan Whiting of Port Clinton at 61-4.75.

In the discus, Smith threw 159-11 in the regional meet. Mills is again the favorite with a toss of 180-4.

Ransbottom is tied for the best qualifying height with Jake D'Alessandro of Dalton sharing the top height.