In terms of qualifying for the state track and field meet, no results truly matter except the ones achieved at the regional meet.

One mistake — a missed handoff, a bad start, a poor throw — could mean the end of an athlete’s season.

So at Free State High this afternoon, athletes from both Lawrence High and Free State will try to have their best performances of the season and qualify for the state meet in Wichita next weekend.

Preliminary heats are set to start at 3 p.m., with finals following at 4:30.

Leavenworth, Shawnee Mission East, Shawnee Mission North, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Shawnee Mission West and Topeka will join the Lions and Firebirds.

The top four finishers in each event will qualify for the state meet, which will start on May 27 at Wichita State University’s Cessna Stadium.