Reischman took first at regionals on Friday in Tonganoxie with a time of 16.4 seconds.

This year’s meet includes all first through fourth regional placers. Before, only the top two fourth-place finishes advanced, so Reischman missed the cut last year.

“It was pretty exciting,” Reischman said. “I was really thrilled. It had been a goal of mine but I never really thought I could do it.”

Reischman didn’t perform as well at the Kaw Valley League meet May 9. Competing with a head cold, she didn’t place at Santa Fe Trail, but made up for it at regionals.

The junior said she sensed her season could be successful at one of the team’s larger meets the Cardinal Relays on April 19 in Eudora.

“That just kind of made me realize, ‘Hey, I can actually do something,'” Reischman said.

The junior will have to get up early in Wichita. She runs about 9 a.m. Friday.

“I’m not really a morning person, so it might be kind of difficult,” Reischman said. “I’m going to try to not be nervous and just have fun.”

Sophomore Heather Helm won’t have the same option. Helm broke the school record in the low hurdles earlier in the season, but tripped over the last hurdle at regionals and didn’t finish the race. During the next race, a Holton hurdler tripped over the same hurdle in the same lane during the boys race.

Helm, though, will still compete at state with Katie Jeannin, Laura Jeannin and Madison Weller in the 4×800 relay. The team took first at regionals (10:30.5) for Tonganoxie’s only other first-place finish.

“All in all it was bittersweet,” THS coach Bill Shaw said about Helm’s results. “It was a tough break. She’s done well all year.”

Erin Seymour also earned a state berth in the 3,200. Seymour took third with a 13:08.2 time after sitting out the 1,600 to concentrate on the longer race.

Katie Jeannin will have two other events in Wichita the 400 and the 800. She took third in the 400 (1:03.6) and fourth in the 800 (2:35.7). Laura Jeannin took fourth in the 1,600 (5:49.9).

Rachael Weston qualified with Reischman in the high hurdles, taking third (16.7).

Senior Erin O’Brien, a state qualifier in the pole vault last year, didn’t place in the discus or pole vault.

Although O’Brien won’t return to Wichita, the Chieftains will have seven state competitors this year, compared to three last season.

“We’re extremely proud of our boys and girls,” Shaw said.