Six Warriors punch their tickets to Omaha

If you want to know how exciting it is to qualify for state, just ask Leyton's Katy Ernest and Shaela Jenkins.

Though she attended as a sophomore to support her teammates, Ernest had never before competed at Burke Stadium. Now a senior, she had just one more chance. Those tears she shed at the end of the shot put competition were tears of happiness.

Ernest eclipsed her previous personal best at just the time it would do her the most good. She threw 33-08.50 to earn a silver medal and a ride to Omaha.

Before the meet she was on the outside looking in with a third or fouth seed.

"Today I was...