Coeur d'Alene's girls have gone 20 years without bringing home a trophy from the state track meet.

That drought could end this week, when the state 5A meet unfolds today and Friday at Boise State University.

"If everything falls into place, like (it did at regionals), there's no reason why we couldn't win it," Coeur d'Alene coach Linda Lanker said.

Coeur d'Alene brings balance and depth to state.

Senior Kinsey Gomez is back to defend her state titles from last year in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. Junior Morgan Struble, the transfer from Big Sky High in Missoula, is favored to win the 100 and 300 hurdles.

Other Vikings expected to be in the mix include throwers Madison Seaman and Justine Zap, as well as Brittany Tackett (200, 400), who is "the best freshman I've coached in 29 years," Lanker said. Seaman is seeded first in the discus.

The Viking boys, who were second at state last year, boast a strong distance group led by David Norris (800, 1,600) and Cody Curtis (1,600, 3,200) as well as thrower Jonathan Murray. Curtis won the 1,600 last year at state.

"If everything goes the way we want, the boys have a chance to trophy," said Lanker, who is in her fifth season as a Viking coach - the last two as head coach.

Murray, Matt Wardell of Post Falls and Austin Funk of Post Falls are seeded 1-2-3 in the discus. Wardell is seeded first in the shot put.

Eagle's boys and girls are defending champs.

Last week was an extra-special week for Lanker. Not only did her Viking boys and girls teams win regional titles, she was invited to coach the men's sprinters and hurdlers for the U.S. team that will compete in the World University Games this summer in China.

Latecia Howell of Lakeland is a medal contender in the girls 100, 200, long jump and triple jump. Jordan Ward is the top seed in the girls high jump.

Rigby's boys and Bishop Kelly's girls are defending champs.

Timberlake's girls have never won a state track title. The Tigers have only brought home one trophy (for a top-four finish), when they were second last year. But based on the seedings for this year's meet, the Tigers are favored to break through this year.

"We are good in a lot of events and should score even better than seeded in some others," Timberlake coach Brian Kluss said. "We have at least one athlete in 16 of the 18 events and I think there is a chance we will score in all of those events. I have us seeded in the 90s off the seed sheets; that is tough to beat any year. That said, we will need to be focused and ready to run when Friday rolls around."

Among the Tigers' medal candidates are Ashly George (800, 1,600), Rachel Ward (hurdles), Caitlyn Nichols (200) and Sam Simmons (pole vault).

Timberlake's boys have won three state titles and were second twice. They've placed in the top five each of the past seven years. This year, a trophy would be a good accomplishment.

"The boys would have to have a lot of bad stuff happen to Buhl and Payette to win the title," Kluss said. "I am sure there are not enough lightning bolts to have that happen. That said, I think we can come away with a trophy if we run well and stay healthy."

The Tiger boys are led by some strong relay teams, as well as Brian Cronnelly (110 hurdles, high jump).

Payette's boys and Sugar-Salem's girls are defending champs.

Coeur d'Alene Charter senior Jacob Bowman, who suffered a knee injury playing football for Lake City last fall, is the top seed in the 100 and discus. David Conway is seeded second in the 3,200 for the Panther boys, who finished second last year. Coeur d'Alene Charter's girls were third last year.

West Side's boys and Nampa Christian's girls are defending champs.

Kootenai's boys and girls are coming off regional championships last weekend. Challis' boys and Liberty Charter's girls are defending champs.