WICHITA — Alex Reed advanced to the finals in three preliminary events for Great Bend High School at the Class 6-1A state track and field championships on Friday at Cessna Stadium

Reed, a senior, in quest of a three-peat in the 400-meter dash, advanced to the finals in the 400 (49.32) and 200 (22.54), and also was a part of the Panthers qualifying 4x100 relay (44.12). Other relay members are Sheldon LeShore, Matt Moyd and Darion Yager.

Moyd, seeking a state crown in the 110 hurdles, advanced during the prelims.

LeShore runs in the 100 today, starting with the prelims at 9 a.m.

David Simmons was a fourth-place finisher in the shot put (51-0).

On the girls side, Jacy Quade took fourth in the discus (123-1),

In the 3,200 run, Rubi Torres placed fourth in a time of 50.63.

Great Bend’s girls’ 4x400 relay did not advance out of Friday’s prelims.

 GBHS has four athletes in the pole vault competition today in Chris Burley and Simon Sullivan on the boys' side and Salem Ball and Hannah Middleton on the girls.

The group has made steady progress under the guidance of pole vault coach Robert Johnson, some former Panthers pole vaulters, including Cory Monroe, and some Great Bend townspeople.

"It's been a community effort," Great Bend head coach Bo Black said.