Seven Baldwin track and field athletes will be going to states later this week, after qualifying at WPIAL finals last Thursday.

Two of them — senior Laurel Bristow and junior Bailey O’Malley — became WPIAL champions, each placing first in shotput.

Bristow in particular had a huge day to lead the way for the Highlanders, also placing second in javelin, and third in discus.

Bristow has practiced all these events since she was 10, but felt more confident in shot put since the beginning of the year.

“I have been most consistent with shot put, and seeing how my practice and consistency pay off is a very rewarding experience,” Bristow said.

Bristow always has had a goal to win WPIALs and make it to states. But her big day at WPIAL finals still surprised her a bit.

“I always had this goal to make it to states. I was confident in my ability in all three, but did not expect to actually qualify for states in all three. It is very surreal,” Bristow said.

Another person going to states is senior Nick Lachut, who is going to states for the pole vault after coming in fourth in WPIALs.

“I have worked very hard and I’m just happy to go states, but I want to do better at states,” Lachut said.

Senior Alina Stahl came in eighth in the long jump during the WPIAL tournament and is heading to states as well.

“We’ve all been working really hard and we all want to do our team proud at states,” Stahl said.

Other athletes going to states include junior Macy Hale, senior Logan Richards, and junior Brendan O’Malley.