Three area athletes are heading back to the State Track Meet for the second year in a row, and all three will have a chance to go back at least one more time as all are underclassmen.

Cooperstown sophomore Stephanie Smith qualified for states in the pole vault for the second straight year, clearing a season best 9'6" at last Thursday's open state qualifier in Liverpool.

Milford junior Ben Cotter is headed back to the state meet for the second straight year in the long jump, and said he wants to break the league record of 21-7 this weekend. Cotter won the long jump at last Thursday's qualifier in Ithaca with a distance of 20-11.

Cherry Valley-Springfield junior Kristen Karhio, a state champion in the pentathlon a year ago, is also headed back to the state meet to defend her title. On Thursday, Karhio amassed 2,811 points to finish first out of Class C and D competitors and second overall.

The first place competitor in each event from Classes C and D combined qualified for the state meet in Uniondale, Long Island, next Friday and Saturday.

Karhio will begin defense of her title on Friday when she competes in the hurdles, high jump and shot put, and on Saturday will complete the pentathlon by competing in the long jump and 800.

"We're hoping Kristen can break 3,000 points, that should give her a great chance to at least get back on the medal stand again this year," CV-S track coach Jordan Jaquay said. "The pentathlon is a great event for Kristen because she can compete at a high level in all five events. If she does poorly in one, she knows she has a chance to make it up in another event."

Cotter had two jumps of 22 feet at the open qualifier last Thursday, but fouls were called on both. Milford track coach Dave Prouty said if Cotter could jump 22 feet at the state meet, he should have a good shot at a state championship. The top finisher in Classes C and D combined, and A and B win state championships.

"I don't know what jumpers throughout the state are doing, but I don't think there are too many jumping 22 feet," Prouty said. "The fact Ben went to states last year, and was sectional champion this year, gives him the experience to compete at a high level."

"My goal is to win the C-D competition Friday and move on to Saturday," Cotter said. "It would be great to be first out of any class in the state, but I just have to do my best and see what happens."

Prouty said the highest any Milford athlete has ever finished at states is seventh, and the top six finishers win state awards.

Cooperstown girls track coach Connie Herzig said she wouldn't be surprised if Smith clears 10 feet in the pole vault at the state meet.

"Stephanie borrowed a pole at the open qualifier which was a foot longer than the one she usually uses but the same weight, and had some great success," Herzig said. "The goal is definitely 10 feet."

The Cooperstown boys track team did not have anyone qualify for the state meet this year, although Jared Tallman finished second in Class C-D in the 3200 with a time of 10.04.98. Tallman was fourth overall.

Cooperstown track coach Don Howard said senior Steve Carlson's fifth place finish overall in the 800, and the 4x100 relay team of Andy Rickard, Mike Senchyshyn, Liam Murphy and Brett Ferrando clocking a 46.05 were also highlights of the meet, which was held at RFA Stadium.

Howard said he would be back to coach next season, which would be his 32nd as boys varsity track coach at Cooperstown.

"My plan is to return," he said.