Overland Park ? Today is all about qualifying for state.

But at the Class 6A track and field regional this afternoon at Shawnee Mission North, that’s easier said than done.

On the boys side, 10 of the state’s top 17 times and marks are entered among Lawrence High, Free State, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Olathe North, Olathe South, Olathe East, Overland Park Aquinas and Leavenworth. Oh yeah, SMNW, Aquinas and FSHS finished 1-2-3 at last year’s state meet, and LHS was second at the Sunflower League meet May 16.

“It’s an outstanding regional,” LHS coach Jerry Skakal said. “It is going to be tough, but if you look at it from a positive perspective like I do, it’s going to be a wart just to qualify for state. But if you qualify, you’ve already eliminated some of your state competition and now have a chance to score at state.”

The girls’ side isn’t quite as stacked, but it won’t be much easier. FSHS is coming off a league title, followed closely by Olathe East and Leavenworth.

For teams trying to get as many athletes as possible to Wichita May 30 and 31, it’ll be tough.

“It’s not a regional where you can have a bad day and make it,” FSHS coach Steve Heffernan said. “But if you come in and hit your average, you should be fine.”

Field events start at 3 p.m., while track preliminaries begin at 4. Finals are scheduled to start at 6.

The Firebirds qualified 23 athletes last year when they won the regional title. Heffernan said they could surpass that mark this year, but it depended on how the field events and sprints shook out.

“We’re hoping to get some throwers in on the guys side,” Heffernan said. “They’ve been throwing well the last few weeks.”

“They” would be juniors Tyree Payne and Tyler Morgan, both of whom could go in the discus or shot put. Junior Ben Marshall, third in the 200-meter dash last week, also could sneak in.

The Lions, who qualified in 17 events last year, also have their share of potential qualifiers.

Senior Micah Thomas and junior Deshon Frye-Kerr are on the cusp in the 300 hurdles, while juniors Johnny Rathbun and Drew Cummings could go in the 400.

Senior Derrick Newman is poised to qualify for the first time after throwing more than 51 feet and winning the shot-put crown last week.

Skakal also liked freshman Amy Magnuson’s chances in the 100 hurdles, junior Rachael Klingler in the high jump and Shari Lassiter in the long jump.

“I think we’re focused an ready to go,” Skakal said. “We just keep talking to them about the level of competition and how important this is. This is what we’re building for.”