The Townsend and Jefferson High track and field teams will be headed to the District 5B meet in Bozeman this weekend, and everyone knows who's the team to beat.

The Manhattan Tigers boys are the defending state champs while Three Forks' girls, after a fourth-place finish, are still strong after last year.

"Everybody else is really battling for second," said Jefferson High head coach Don Olsen.

The top six placers in each event will advance to divisionals the next weekend as the Townsend, Whitehall, Three Forks, Manhattan Christian and Big Timber teams also compete for spots.

The Townsend Bulldogs bring with them a well-rounded squad that is still improving with time.

"On the boys side we're hoping for a big meet out of our sprinters," said Townsend head coach Travis Rauh. "Shade (Theriault) would probably come in as the No. 1 seed in the district and Andy Newman ,as he gets healthy, is another sprinter who could score a lot of points for us."

Boone Helm, meanwhile leads the hurdling corps and, Rauh said, should have some tough competition but will be looking to make it in the top three.

Kyland Santos has been a powerful thrower during the year. Meanwhile, Jager Warner, holds out as one of the top distance runners in Class B.

"We're expecting Jager to place highly in both the mile and two-mile," Rauh said.

Warner's top 1,600 time of 4:39.0 is just ahead of Manhattan Tiger Mike Asay's 4:39.2. Meanwhile, Jefferson's Andy Dahl will bring the Panthers' top threat in the race.

Jefferson is struggling after a tough year that has taken out many of their athletes.

"Our team numbers are down and we've had some injuries. We certainly won't be at full strength," Olsen said. "We have a coouple of kids that have been doing well."

Along with Dahl, the Panthers' biggest threat is Jonathan Olsen, who will be trying for the title in the 400 and 800.

On girls side, Townsend could be the best team to challenge Three Forks' depth. The Bulldogs finished fifth at state last year and bring quality athletes to the field events.

"One thing that will have to be huge for us is jumping, that's where our strength really is this year with both Delaware (Hansen) and Lynsie (Williams)."

The two have gone back and forth as the top jumper on the team, while Kelsey Wickens has been the strongest in the sprints and Jordan Audet in the distance events.

Jefferson's Brittany Johnson will lead her squad in the 1,600 and 3,200, while there are a couple of others who will be contending for the top spot.

"As far as the 1,600, the (Chloe) Polakovich girl from Whitehall is one of the better milers in the state," Rauh said. "And, I just found out Big Timber actually is in our district, and they have a freshman girl, Selene Johnson, who is good at running in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200."

Unlike the Class AA schools, which can advance to state automatically with a qualifying mark, the these squads have to fight to the finish at each postseason meet.

"There's two other districts that come in, so it's a strong division as well," Don Olson said. "There's no guarantees. But we have high hopes."

Jeff Windmueller: 447-4065 or jeff.windmueller

@helenair.com