MADISON TOWNSHIP – Twelve Whiteford track and field athletes are headed to the Division 3 state meet after qualifying for the state finals.

The Bobcat boys tied for sixth place at Saturday’s Division 3 Regional at Madison while the Bobcat girls placed seventh.

Madelynn Thorn won the regional championship in the long jump and Jess Saylor won the 400, qualifying for the state meet in that event for the second straight season.

Placing second and earning an automatic bid to the state meet was the 4×200 relay of Nate Andrews, Drew Ruddy, Antonio Nachtrab and Saylor. The 4×400 relay of Andrews, Brek ruddy, Brody Hillard and Saylor also finished second and qualified.

The girls 4×400 relay team of Nina Bauman, Briar Wing, Braelynn Chiotti and Alaina McClain also finished second.

Nina Bauman (discus) and Alaina McClain (800 both qualified for the second straight season. Brek Ruddy qualified for the pole vault earlier this season by clearing the minimum state meet height.

“We had a good day overall,” Whiteford coach Jay Yockey said. “We definitely saw some great performances from Nate Andrews and Jess Saylor. And Alaina McLain has been working her tail off all season to break the 800 record and get back to state.

“I’m really proud of how all the Whiteford athletes show up and perform. When you go to regionals, you know you’re going to face some tough competition and I think they all handled it very well.”

Whiteford will compete against Summerfield to wrap up the TCC dual meet season Tuesday.

The state finals are May 31 at Kent City.