The Southwest High School boys track team prides itself on its relays, and the Trojans will get to show off three of their squads this weekend at the Class 2 Track and Field Championships in Jefferson City Friday and Saturday.

In all, six Southwest track athletes — seniors Christian Long and Caden Uthe, juniors Otis Rainer and Matteo Lumetta, and sophomores Robert Humphries and Ezra Sprowes — advanced to the meet at Jefferson City High School.

Southwest advanced in the 4×800, 4×400 and 4×200 relays, finishing second, third and fourth, respectively. Lumetta and Uthe run on all three relays, while Long and Rainer run on two, and Humphries and Sprowes run one.

Uthe also advanced in the 400 meters (54.13) and Long in the mile (4:46.03), both placing fourth.

“Survive and advance,” said Steve Voyak, Southwest coach. “We did not have our best performance at sectionals, but the six who got through did what they needed to go to get to Jeff City.”

The 4×800 relay final will be at 11:15 a.m. Friday, with all 16 teams in one race. The 4×200 relay runs in a preliminary at 12:30 p.m. The top eight teams of 16 advance to the final at the same time Saturday.

Uthe runs in the 400 prelims at 2:15 p.m. The 4×400 relay goes at 4:30 p.m., with two heats to decide eight spots in the finals. Long runs the mile at 1:20 p.m. Saturday, with all 16 runners in the same race.

“I couldn’t be more proud of these six young men,” Voyak said. “We have been talking about going to state all year, but it was all just talk until Saturday.”

SOUTHWEST TRACK

What: Advanced six runners to state

Who: seniors Christian Long and Caden Uthe, juniors Otis Rainer and Matteo Lumetta, and sophomores Robert Humphries and Ezra Sprowes

More: All three relay teams advance