By Susan Leksander Click for Caption

Matzen, a freshman on that 1999 team, realizes a collection of star power the likes of current Division I athletes Michelle Lilienthal, Teesa Price and Kristin Knight doesn't come along often.

But the 2002 Little Hawks are making a claim of their own as they prepare to head into the state meet today at Drake Stadium in Des Moines.

"This team is definitely really deep and we've been doing comparatively better during the season," said Matzen, now a senior. "I really think we have the capability as a team to do better than the '99 team did at state point-wise."

The 1999 Class 3A state championship Little Hawks scored 61 points, with Lilienthal and Price each winning two individual events. They did it without an injured Knight, who pulled a hamstring at the district meet.

This year's team has 23 state qualifiers in 17 events, including double qualifiers in six individual events. All seven relays qualified and all rank in the top six.

Both medley relays are favored to win, as is Jennie Funk in the 1,500-meter run.

"The thing about '99 was they could do it at the big meets, also," said City High Coach Terry Coleman, an assistant on the '99 team. "These guys had a great Drake Relays. But before you can make a judgment (comparing the two teams), they've got to do it at state.

"We qualified 17 events and have the ability to score in maybe 15 if things go well. From a balance standpoint, this (team) is the best we've had. In '99, there was Price, Knight and Lilienthal, some of the best kids the state has ever seen."

The Little Hawks, looking to end Iowa City West's two-year title run, could set standards for dominance. The 3A record for state-meet points is 69, set by Indianola in 1980. Based on pre-meet projections, the Little Hawks could score 80.

The 3A mark for margin of victory is 25 points, also set by the '80 Indianola team. City High could eclipse that, too.

But the Little Hawks, who won state titles in 1997, 1998 and 1999, understand state meets aren't won by projected performances.

"We just really need to stay focused and not get caught up in the points thing," junior Monica Mims said. "We have to go for it in each race. If we take care of each race one at a time, then hopefully we'll get (the state title)."

Coleman would rather play the role of underdog, but Matzen doesn't mind being favored.

"We definitely aren't going into it with a cocky attitude or an attitude like we're for sure going to win," Matzen said. "But it definitely helps make you a little bit calmer to know you're probably going to do very well."

And Matzen has learned an important lesson about history.

"I didn't think it could get any better, but it has and it will continue to," she said.

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