ShawneeDispatch.com

All it takes is an inch. An inch can be the difference between an early start to your summer or a trip to the state track meet.

Last year, Mill Valley senior Andrew Wendorff got the early start to his summer when he finished fifth in the javelin at regionals, missing out by only an inch.

Wendorff wasn't going to let that happen this year. He threw the javelin 15 feet farther than he ever has before, won the regional and set a new school record.

"I was kind of nervous because I didn't want to miss out by an inch," Wendorff said. "I was kind of watching to see what the other guys were throwing. I knew if I threw decently enough, I could make it pretty easily into the field."

Wendorff was one of several MVHS record setters last Friday at Gardner-Edgerton. The Jaguars qualified for state in 15 different events -- with four athletes qualifying for two events and five of their six relay teams getting in.

The MVHS boys finished second in the regional, the best regional finish in school history, and the girls finished fourth. It was also the most athletes the Jags have ever qualified for state.

"I was very pleased with both the girls and boys efforts," coach Mark Peck said. "Needless to say this was a very tough regional. We had a few disappointments but overall I would say it was a very successful regional for us."

The boys' high finish was mostly thanks to the efforts of Justin Woods and Matt Sittenauer. Woods returned from a hamstring injury and looked like the Justin Woods of old, who won the 100 meters and 200 meters at state last year.

Woods again won both races at regionals.

"Justin had a very good meet," Peck said. "He ran with no pain in the 100 and

200. His times are no indication of how well he ran because they ran into the wind. I'm pleased to see him coming back into form. I like his chances at state. He should do very well."

Sittenauer followed Woods in the 100 meters, finishing second after winning league the previous week when Woods was sidelined. Sittenauer also won the long jump, setting a school record. He is ranked first in the state in the long jump.

Elise Umbarger and Katie Bauer were the big winners on the girls' side. Umbarger won both the shot put and discus.

Bauer had personal best marks in both the long jump and triple jump. She won the long jump and finished second in the triple jump.

The other record setters Friday were the girls' 1,600-meter relay team and freshman Kirsten Moore in the 400 meters. Moore set a school record in the 400 meters and finished second. She then ran on the relay team with Sara Exon, Jasa DuMontelle and Whitney Hartman. They set also set a school record and won the race.

Other Mill Valley athletes to qualify for state, which begins Friday in Wichita, include:

- Mark Grinstead finished second in the discus and Chris Mayer finished third.

- Max Carroll finished third in the javelin.

- Colin Orand finished second in the 300-meter hurdles.

- Terence Wilson finished fourth in the 400 meters.

- Alyssa Whim finished fourth in the long jump.

- Kelsey O'Hara finished fourth in the 1,600 meters.

- DuMontelle finished second in the high jump.

- Ashley Bowman finished third in the pole vault.