TIPPAH COUNY — The MHSAA state track meet is being held this weekend at Pearl High School. Ripley, Falkner, and Walnut High Schools sent a combined eight athletes to the competition in search of a top three finish.

Today, Falkner’s Melissa Maldonado will represent the school in the 400-meter run. Maldonado qualified for the state track meet, after finishing fourth at the 1A/2A North Half meet held last Tuesday at Coldwater.

At that same meet, Walnut’s Shaquille Perry qualified for the state meet by finishing third in the long jump. According to Walnut track coach Tabitha Settlemires, Perry is the first Wildcat to reach the state track meet in two years.

"We’re looking forward to going down to see what we can do," said Settlemires.

Settlemires added that another Wildcat, Stanley Thorton, was in contention to qualify for the state meet but did not run his race.

Thorton left the meet before his 800-meter race when he received word that his father, Greg Thorton, had been injured in a motorcycle wreck and would be airlifted to a hospital.

Settlemires reported that the father had been released as of Wednesday, suffering only burns from sliding on the pavement.

Ripley participated in the 3A meet Friday and results will be posted at www.tippah360.com. The Tigers sent six representatives, with junior Lanesha Cox leading the way with three events.