Track and field athletes prepare all spring in hopes to qualify for the postseason. They dream about the final stride, the last good heave or that concluding hoist in the air that edges their competitors and earns them a district medal.

For most this is only a fantasy that never becomes a reality during their high school career. For Mikayla Stoudt she is living that dream over and over again. And she is only a freshman.

Last week at the District 11 Track and Field Championships at Blue Mountain High School, Stoudt earned three silver medals over the span of two days. All three were accompanied by invitations to the state meet.

She earned her first silver in the 1600-meter run, her second in the 3200 and her last one in the girls 4x800 relay. Stoudt scratched herself from the 1600 at states so she can focus for the other two events.

After receiving her gold in the 1600-meter run, Stoudt couldn't describe the emotions.

"I don't even know what to think," admitted Stoudt. "I honestly didn't know what to think throughout. I'm just excited that I made it and that I have gotten this far."

She felt soreness from the 3200 on day one, but should be rested and ready to go for states.

Stoudt's 4x800 relay team earned silver and is going to states with a time of 9:30.89. The other members of that team are seniors Kayla Tracy, Nicole Albertson, who also finished fourth in the 800, and Cassidy Newman.

Parkland's boys' 4x800 relay team was also successful last week. The team includes four seniors in Steven Guetzlaff, Will Nemeth, Darren DaSilva and Jeremy Motsko. They clocked a time of 8:02 that edged Whitehall by over four seconds.

Half of that boys' 4x800 team earned individual medals at districts as well. Nemeth acquired his bronze for finishing third in the boys' 1600 run and Motsko took fourth in the 800.

Nemeth tied his personal record with a time of 4:29.10 in the mile jaunt.

"[My senior year] went well," Nemeth said. "It is not over quite yet, but looking back I think it was an overall success."

Another Trojan relay team ventured to the podium to receive medals at districts. The boys 4x400 relay team that is made up of seniors Travis Witty, Motsko, Najee Redmond and Kareem Williams finished fourth in what was an extremely tight race where second through fourth place all finished within one second of each other. Parkland lost to Blue Mountain of the Schuylkill League by just .17 seconds.

In field events, more Trojans emerged with hardware draped around their neck.

Stephen Laird was sporting a silver medal after his throw of 179 feet in javelin. The junior will be throwing again at the state meet.

"I am in complete shock right now, honestly," said Laird. "I threw it and I was listening to the measurement of what I threw. When I heard it I respond by saying, 'I can't believe I had that capability in me.'"

The Trojan seniors were out in full force at districts as Oksana Wittbrodt earned a gold medal in discus. Her throw of 113-7 landed her on the top of the podium. That personal record throw came after a rough start where she fouled on her first attempt.

The future DeSales University thrower reflected on her time as a member of Parkland's track and field team with just one meet left in her high school career.

"It was one of the best experiences of my life," Wittbrodt said. "I loved my team so much and they pushed me. Having them by me watching helped me a lot. I needed their support."

Another Trojan that will be continuing his track and field career at the next level is Nolan Hay. He will be an Oklahoma Sooner in fall and will be a member of their track and field squad. Last week Hay was busy winning district gold. The senior took first place in the long jump with a hop of 23-4 1/4.

Hay feels his experience will put him head and shoulders above the competition.

"I was a little scared last year," he said. "Now that I am back I feel I should be prepared. I will still be a little nervous, but I should know how everything works."

Kelly Robertson, who will play volleyball at Penn State, finished second in the district triple jump. The multi-sport athlete says triple jump is intense.

"It tends to get very heated," she said. "You tend to not look at your competition. However then at the end of the day we are all congratulating each other, but during the jumps it is very, very intense."

The entire event at Blue Mountain High School was very intense, but Parkland came out near the top. Senior Jack Walton also medaled as he took the silver in pole vault. All of the Trojans who qualified will be competing at the PIAA Championships Friday and Saturday at Shippensburg University.