Photo/KRISTIN MAZGAJ SHADYSIDE sophomore Jordan Joseph runs his leg of the 4x800 meter relay Monday afternoon during qualifying of the OVAC Track and Field Championship at St. Clairsville's Red Devil Stadium. The Tigers advanced to Saturday's final in the event.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Half the field is set.

The first steps toward an OVAC track and field championship were taken Monday evening at Red Devil Stadium by the schools competing in the 1A/2A and 3A classes.

Qualifying — being contested in one day for the first time since the current format’s adoption — got under way with berths in Saturday’s OVAC Cal Giffin Track and Field Championship on the line.

The 4A and 5A schools will hold their qualifying meet today. Field events will begin at 2:30 p.m. and running at 4 p.m.

The meet wraps up on Saturday when the top four finishers from each of the four classes return to the Belmont County Seat.

CLASS 3A

The Linsly girls had an impressive evening of qualifying. The Cadets advanced in 14 of the 18 events and taking that a step farther. They own the top mark in eight of those events on the track.

Sydney Glessner had the top time in the 100 and 200, while Kylie Pell paced both hurdle events. Maddie Campsey continued her brilliant season in the 400, posting the top mark.

Magnolia was next in line with a trio of top finishes. The Blue Eagles were sparked, individually by Mady Winters in the shot put and Jaci Rohde in the long jump. Magnolia also led the 4×1 and shuttles.

The Cadets also set the tone in the 4×8, 4×2 and 4×4.

Bellaire posted the top mark in a pair of field events thanks to senior Michaela Flaherty in the high jump and freshman Katelyn Hart in the discus.

Union Local’s Allison Loase and Hannah Kemp turned in the top marks in the pole vault and 3200 meters, respectively.

Buckeye Trail’s Kathryn Williams was the top finisher in both the 800 and 1600 meter runs.

The boys race in this class is seemingly wide open with a host of teams in position to challenge for the top trophy. Eight of the 10 schools in the field led at least one event.

Linsly set the tone in six of those, however. The Cadets were led by Mikal Warfield-Payne in the high and intermediate hurdles. Corban James-Barrett was tops in the 200 and 400 meter dashes.

Linsly’s speed forces teamed to lead the 4×1 and 4×2 relays as well.

Magnolia, one of the presumptive favorites coming in, led three events, but only one individual race. Jason Beisel was the fastest in the 100 meter field.

The Blue Eagles also led the shuttles and 4×4 to end the meet.

Bellaire’s strength in the throwing events was once again on display as senior Cole LaRoche and freshman Colt Sechrest turned in strong efforts to lead the shot put and discus, respectively.

Barnesville’s Ryan Lucas circled the track twice faster than anyone else to pace the 800, while Union Local was the top 4×8 team in the field.

CLASS 1A/2A

Wheeling Central flexed its speed early and often during qualifying action. Coach Eric Belancic’s team led the way in four events, all of which were 800 meters or less.

Senior speedster Kennadee Wayt blazed to the top mark in the 100 and 200, while her twin sister, Ireland, was the top 800 meter runner.

The Maroon Knights also led the 4×1 by more than a second.

Steubenville Catholic Central’s Karlie Vandeborne and Rebecca Bodo led the long jump and 400, respectively to fuel the Crusaders.

River’s Livi Beard was a busy young lady. She paced the 1600 and 3200 meter runs.

Madonna’s Kennedy Martin was the top small-school qualifier in both the shot put and discus.

Paden City was the top finisher in the 4×2.

The small-school boys team race saw Shadyside put forth an impressive round of qualifying. Much of that was fueled by senior standout Chase Stewart.

The tireless senior pulled the distance triple, setting the pace in the 800, 1600 and 3200 meter runs.

Jakob Klug was the top high hurdler in the small-school field.

Dale Hawthorne led the pole vault qualifying for the Tigers as well.

River led a trio of events and two of those belonged to talented junior Cooper Brown. He paced the 200 and 400 meter dashes, while Alex Rufener was the first to cross in the 300 hurdles.

Bridgeport senior Kevin Herink continued his impressive season in the throwing circles, earning a return trip in both the shot put and discus.

Toronto’s Zach Stackhouse was the top high jumper in the field.

Wheeling Central (4×2), Cameron (shuttles) and Steubenville Catholic (4×4) each posted the top qualifying time in a relay.