OTTUMWA – Davis Eidahl is one lucky coach. He gets to enjoy his seniors for one more meet.

The legendary Pekin skipper relied on a strong contingent of seniors this season. Playing the underdog role for much of the year, the Panthers found a way to win. Their reward? Pekin qualified for 10 events at this weekend’s 2008 Boys State Track Meet.

The seniors will once again do the heavy lifting before taking their talents elsewhere.

“We’ve won several meets this year, we won the conference,” Eidahl said. “After every meet, we just walk off the field. We don't take victory laps. It's just business as usual.

“These seniors know how to step up when it's tough. That's what I like.”

Pekin’s elder statesmen won’t be alone. Over two dozen other seniors from the area are heading to Des Moines this weekend for one last hurrah. Even with Fairfield’s Will Wellington returning to defend his title in the Class 3A 100 meter dash, the Panthers might possess the best chance for multiple state titles.

One of the heavy favorites this weekend is Pekin’s Jordan Sathoff. A star on the basketball court, Sathoff is naturally one of the best high jumpers in the state. In districts, the senior set a new school record with a qualifying jump of 6-10.00.

The mark is six inches better than the next best qualifying jump in Class 2A.

“It’s amazing because, the one thing we’ve done, we’ve let Jordan work on the high jump for four years and not worry about other things,” Eidahl said. “He could have helped us in relays, but look what he’s done in high jumps.”

Brad Mosinski is another record-breaker in the Pekin clan headed to Des Moines this weekend. The senior owns the best qualifying time in the 400 hurdles (53.94). Mosinski is also slated to compete in the 400 meter dash (50.61), the 4x100 and the shuttle hurdle relay.

“Brad is amazing,” Eidahl said. “He and Kelly [Graham] have run varsity for four years. Each year they keep getting a little bit better. They are good athletes in all sports, but they really like track.”

Seniors Kaleb Watson, Graham and Bryce Millikin will join Mosinski in the shuttle hurdle relay this weekend. The versatile Millikin is making his fourth trip to the state meet and will compete in four different relay events.

Watson and Graham are slated for three events each.

One key to Pekin’s success is the duo of Tyler Crouse and Jason Schultz. The seniors will compete in both the discus and shot put this weekend. Crouse holds the third best qualifying toss in the discus with a throw of 169-02.

“They are both seniors and with Tyler’s work ethic, that’s really helped Jason,” Eidahl said. “Jason has a good work ethic, also. In Jason’s case, he knows how to compete. In several meets this year, it came down to one more throw. He did it and got second at conference. He did it at districts.”