Last year, the race for the boys’ Class B state track and field championship came down to the wire. Expect something similar again this weekend at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls.

Gregory and Ipswich ended in a tie for the state title with identical final point totals.

“Last year was a lot of fun,” said Ipswich coach Todd Thorson. “We didn’t have a single state champ, so it was a true team effort. Gregory was ranked way ahead of us. In fact, they were ranked better than us in all five relays, and we beat them in three out of five.”

On paper it appears the same two teams will be battling it out again, and once again Gregory appears to have the slight edge heading into the state meet.

“We kind of looked at what Gregory’s got. If they go chalk, we can’t catch them,” Thorson said, noting that the Gorillas are projected to score 18 more points. “They’re kind of like us last year except, they’ve got kids that are probably going to be state champs as well.”

Thorson said the two programs feature different strengths.

“They’ve got a ton of depth,” Thorson said, “and we’ve got a ton of quality, but we don’t have a ton of depth.”

Thorson said there are a couple of other teams that also figure to be in the mix for a possible state championship.

“Deubrook is probably right in there when you kind of score it out,” Thorson said. “They’re exactly what we’ve got, so I think it’s kind of a three-team race, and don’t sleep on Philip. … They’re going to be right in it, too. It might end up being a 4-5 team race. It’s kind of like who takes points away from who.”

Thorson said it’s always kind of a battle among Class B teams, simply because few teams have the quantity of athletes to produce a huge total of points.

“It’s close every year, especially at the B level,” Thorson said, “because they’re just not scoring a ton of points, because there isn’t that much depth.”

Thorson said that he just wants his athletes to be physically and mentally prepared to give their best effort and he will live with the results.

“We’re hoping to have a personal best day and let the score take care of itself,” Thorson said. “If we prepare well and compete hard, we’re going to be happy with that.”

Thorson always tries to keep things in perspective with his athletes. He said he was going to talk to them about the opportunity that lies ahead when the state meet takes place today through Saturday.

“Guys we get the privilege to put on a track uniform. God gave us a gift to be an athlete, let’s not have second thoughts about this,” he said. “Your nerves and your doubt is just a shadow of opportunity. Just take advantage of this and be happy that we get the opportunity to perform and compete at the highest level for high school state track and field, and we’re going to enjoy it.”

LEADING THE WAY: Sioux Falls Washington’s Nyariek Kur continues to lead four open events in Class AA girls. She tops the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, long jump and triple jump heading into the state meet.

Yankton’s Dylan Payer leads the Class AA boys in the 800-meter run, 1,600-meter run, and 3,200-meter run, Braden Peterson of Hot Springs has the best times in the Class A boys in the 100, 200 and 400, and Reagan O’Neill of Bennett County tops the Class A girls in the 100, 200 and long jump.

There are eight other athletes who lead a pair of open events.

BY THE NUMBERS: Some teams have distanced themselves from the pack heading into the state meet.

Brandon Valley in Class AA girls and Sioux Falls Christian in Class A girls both lead seven events, while Sioux Falls Lincoln leads the Class AA boys in five.

In other divisions, things are extremely tight. Hot Springs leads the Class A boys (four events), Ipswich leads the Class B boys (four events), and Burke leads the Class B girls (three events).

AND THE WINNERS ARE …

Each year we attempt to project what might transpire at the state track and field meet and who will claim state team championships based solely on times and distances compiled during the regular season.

These projections are far from perfect. For instance, it is impossible to predict who might drop a baton, get injured, have a false start or have season-best performances.

That said, here is a look how the races for state team titles will shake out based on the numbers:

CLASS AA BOYS: This appears to be a two-team race with Sioux Falls Lincoln leading the way. The Patriots are projected to score 117 points, just ahead of runner-up Rapid City Stevens with 104. One key event could swing this total either way.

CLASS AA GIRLS: There seems to be little drama involved here. Brandon Valley is primed to score major points on the way to winning the state team title with 143 points. The Lynx could potentially sweep all five relay races on the way to the championship.

CLASS A BOYS: Things could get very interesting in this division before everything is settled. Sioux Falls Christian, normally a big favorite here, is only a slight favorite this time around. The Chargers are projected to score 66 points with Hot Springs right behind with 61. Milbank also figures to be right in the mix with 59 points. Any of these teams have a chance to win it all.

CLASS A GIRLS: This looks to be a very lopsided division as Sioux Falls Christian is posed to score up to 146 points. No one else is even in the conversation. The Chargers have the top times in all five relays heading into the state tournament and have a nice cushion to work with.

CLASS B BOYS: Keep your eyes on this chase for the team title. Last year Gregory and Ipswich ended in a tie and there won’t be much to separate the top three teams this year, either. Gregory is projected to score 53 points, Deubrook Area 49 and Ipswich 46. This could very well go down to the last race of the meet to determine a team champion. If it does, Deubrook Area has the top time in the 1,600-meter relay going into the state meet.

CLASS B GIRLS: This also could go down the wire as two teams are projected to be within seven points of each other. Centerville has the inside track with 53 points and Burke is on pace to score 46 points. Centerville does have the third best time in the 1,600-meter relay should the chase for the crown come down to the final race.