Seeded first and second heading into their 4×100 and 4×200 relays, Inglemoor High seniors Tess Parent, McKenna Grimsby and Lindsy Johanson and junior Hannah Stevenson were a confident foursome at last Saturday’s 4A state track-and-field meet.

The girls rose near the top of the victory podium twice with a second in the 4×100 and a fourth in the 4×200.

After receiving their second-place medals, the Vikings (some of whom have been running together since junior high and some since sophomore year) spoke of their state success.

*Q: Describe what it’s all about, to get a second place and fourth place, as well?

Stevenson (anchor runner): Our group as a whole, our team, we’re really close. We’ve been running together for a long time, so that really helps. We have our own little things that pump us up (good-luck charm lady-bug rocks that Grimsby’s grandma painted for them, they sing songs and have pink batons and pink socks).

*Q: What goes through your head when you’re there at the block to kick it all off?

Johanson (starter): I’m always pretty nervous before the start because of all the adrenaline and pressure. I never wanna false start, it’s always one of my main priorities to practice starting like five times before I race.

There was one time sophomore year, I false started at Kingco in my 100, and ever since then, I’ve been paranoid about false starting. But I guess it got me through and I’ve been able to keep it good for the whole season.

*Q: With you being together for so long, what makes it work for you guys?

Grimsby: I think that we’re just such good friends, we can all hang out and have a good time together. We always laugh.

*Q: What’s it like coming in with such high expectations (and seedings)?

Grimsby: We have to make sure we’re not too concieted about it, because that doesn’t really help us do well. So I guess it’s better to be the underdog sometimes, so then we can push it harder and try to win.

*Q: How does it feel to come away with a second on your last event out of four events (also the triple and long jumps)?

Parent: I think the best part is that I was able to do it with my team. (It helps) that you have three other people with you that are in it with you and in it to do their best. So, that kind of meant the most to me that we’re all here together.