OTTUMWA — Trisha VanDusseldorp faces a monumental task this weekend.

The Oskaloosa senior must overcome two of the best athletes in the state to win her first state title.

She’s primed for the challenge.

“She’s getting ready for one last hurrah in the 800,” Oskaloosa coach Betsy Luck said. “She’s ready to fire up one last good one.”

Vandusseldorp is just one of the talented area seniors heading to Des Moines this weekend for the 2008 Girls State Track Meet. Fairfield, Pekin and Davis County are sending a host of tracksters up north. Centerville, Chariton, Eddyville-Blakesburg and Fairfield Maharishi will all get in on the action.

VanDusseldorp might be the most talented of the bunch headed to the state’s capital. In most years, VanDusseldorp would be a shoo-in for a title in the 800 meter run. Unfortunately, Katie and Betsy Flood both reside in the same event.

The sisters from West Des Moines Dowling own the two best qualifying times in the 800 for this weekend’s state meet. VanDusseldorp is right on their heels. During districts, she clocked a time of 2:17.01 — third best in Class 4A, behind the Flood sisters.

The Oskaloosa speedster also owns experience on the blue oval at Drake Stadium. Last season, VanDusseldorp finished sixth in the 800 at state.

VanDusseldorp knows what she’s up against in the talented Flood sisters. She competed against them at the Drake Relays earlier this year.

To prepare for her last chance at a state title, VanDusseldorp worked on her pace in the weeks leading up to state. Luck said VanDusseldorp’s goal is to finish under 2:20.00.

“We are sticking with the same plan we’ve had all year,” Luck said.

The 800 isn’t the only event VanDusseldorp is competing in this weekend. She is also running in the 400 meter hurdles, the shuttle hurdle relay and the distance medley. Her contributions on the track will continue to be big for the Indians, but Luck noted what VanDusseldorp does off the track.

“She’s awesome. What she does on the track is fantastic,” Luck said. “How she gets her teammates fired up and prepared mentally and physically, it’s great to see.”

VanDusseldorp won’t be the only busy area senior athlete this weekend. Pekin’s Allison Shipley is slated to run in three different events. The senior qualified for the 100 meter hurdles by running a time of 15.47 in districts.

The Panthers will send three other seniors to Des Moines. Kayla Northup, Paige Atwood and Amy Horras are competing in their last track meet this weekend for the Panthers.