A lot of training, conditioning and practice by the members of the Penn Hills varsity boys and girls track and field teams have produced the opportunities they seek at the WPIAL Class AAA individual championships today (Thursday) at Baldwin High School.

The field events begin at 2 p.m., and the track events are set to start at 3.

The top four finishers in each relay and individual event at WPIALs automatically qualify for the PIAA state championships May 23 and 24 at Shippensburg University.

Individuals and relays that meet a state qualifying standard up to eighth place also will make the trip to states.

All of the athletes at the individual finals punched their tickets at a qualifier event May 6.

The top eight in each event at the qualifier advanced to the finals.

The girls 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams came away from the qualifier at Norwin as No. 1 seeds.

The 4x100 squad of Lashawna Carter-Sewell, Gisele Adanlete, Taelor Fowler and Arrie Smith is chasing a WPIAL title and a WPIAL record.

The 2004 Penn Hills 4x100 relay holds the record at 47.67.

"There are targets on their backs," said Sara Miller, Penn Hills girls head coach.

"They've been working hard since July. They're focused. They know what they have to do. We want to bring home a title and a WPIAL record."

The 4x400 squad of Adanlete, Fowler, Smith and Jordan Lee (3:56.15 at qualifiers) also is looking for gold and will be challenged by second-seeded Norwin (3:58.42).

The two teams are the only ones to break four minutes at the qualifiers.

"There is a healthy rivalry between the teams built on respect," Miller said.

"Our girls are ready for that challenge. It should be a fun race. Norwin has some incredible athletes. Both teams push each other to be the best."

Kelly Monteleone, who holds the top triple jump mark in the state this season (39-1), will compete in all three jumps at WPIALs.

She's seeded first in the triple jump and fourth in the long jump.

"The high jump is a pleasant surprise," Miller said.

"She competed in it only two or three times all season. The focus is on the long jump and triple jump. She's worked hard all year. She never ceases to amaze me."

Adanlete will join Monteleone in the long jump and will run the 200 with Carter-Sewell and Fowler.

Lee and Chantel Smith will compete in the 400 dash.

Keisha Grant is in the mix for the 100 dash, while Megan Haftl is in the field for the 800.

Penn Hills will have a team in all three boys relays at WPIALs.

The 4x100 team of Dan Darnell, Brandon Bailey, Chris Washington and Brandon Ifill is the top seed after running a 43.14 at the qualifiers.

"They know they are the hunted," said Lee Zelkowitz, Penn Hills head coach.

"They have to take care of business. Their handoffs are looking good. They can go faster."

The 4x400 unit of Micah Murray, Charles Anderson, Kent King and Bailey is seeded second (3:26.27) behind Peters Township (3:24.24) and is in the running for a WPIAL title.

Zelkowitz also hopes to get the 4x800 relay of Dorian Rumble, King, Murray and Anderson, seeded sixth (8:16.20), to states.

King, Rumble and Anderson will represent Penn Hills in the boys 800 at WPIALs.

"I was pleased with the 800," Zelkowitz said. "I knew all three had a shot to get to WPIALs. To get all three there is something special."

Darnell and Stephen Pepper will run the 100 dash, while Ifill and Bailey will be in the 200 dash.

Murray will compete in the 400.

"I've been impressed with the guys' team unity all season," Zelkowitz said.

"I'm excited for all three relays. It's a pleasure to coach them."