Hoisington High School qualified four individuals and a relay team for the Class 3A state track and field meet on Friday and Saturday in Wichita.
 “Last year, we had about 15 kids going to state,” Hoisington head coach Mike Richter said. “It kind of just depends on the regional we’re in. It seemed like all of the events our athletes were in were tough ones.
“But I think we had a pretty good number of kids for us.”
 Richter said that every one of the kids going to the state meet has been there before.
 “Of course it helps,” Richter said. “They know what to expect. You know, hopefully it will help them be less emotional, less timid and scared. Some are even going for their third year.”
 Savannah Rose is the only girl from Hoisington to qualify for state. She will be competing in the long jump and triple jump.
 “Rose knows what to expect,” Richter said of the junior. “She’s been there two times before. She has a good chance of getting fourths or thirds even. She’s competing against tough kids, but I expect her to do well.
 “For some kids, just getting to state is a good thing, but for our kids, since they’ve been there before, I think they want to do well.”
 She jumped a distance of 16-5 in the long jump and 35-4 1/2 in the triple jump.
 Austin Stout qualified in three events for the Cardinals, 110- and 300-meter hurdles and the high jump.
 Stout turned in a time of 15.56 seconds in the 110 hurdles and a time of 40.51 in the 300 hurdles. He jumped a height of 6-0 in the high jump to qualify in that event.
 Ben Stacey also qualified in the 300 hurdles with a time of 39.82 in the regional meet.
 “We’ve been trying to find an event for him all year long,” Richter said. “He’s such a good athlete that he can compete in a number of events.
 “We threw him into the 300 hurdles halfway through the year and he’s really started getting good. He beat a kid at Phillipsburg who has one of the best times in the state.”
Hoisington will be sending its 4x400 relay after the team turned in a state-qualifying time of 3:31.26.
Stacey, Stout, Dalton Bell and Brandon Donovan will be competing in the relay with Chance Demel as an alternate.
Dustin Broeder will be competing in both the discus (49-5) and shot put (140-1).
“Brandon has been fabulous all year,” Richter said. “He has had one of the best throws in the state in the discus. He’s a tough athlete. He has a great work ethic. He’s just a great kid.
 “I expect him to be able to finish in the top seven at state.”