The two have qualified for the CCS finals in a combined four individual events and two relays to lead the contingent of Wildcats competing in the section championship meet on May 28 at San Jose City College. Field events begin at 4 p.m. with track events beginning at 6 p.m.

Stanton has qualified in the 300 hurdles and the pole vault and Dodson has earned CCS berths in the 200- and 400-meter runs. The two are also part of the Los Gatos 4x100 and 4x400 relays that have earned places in the section finals.

The two head up a solid group of Los Gatos girls who have qualified for CCS, giving the Cats a shot at the title.

"The girls are fired-up for CCS," said Los Gatos coach Monica Townsend. "We'll have nine girls competing in the finals."

In "another great week for the Wildcats," said Townsend, Stanton and Dodson were joined by teammates

The foursome of Cheryl Parkman, Dodson, Mary Gonzales and Jaimee Erickson teamed to run 50:15 in the 4x100 relay to qualify for the finals.

"We had our best first three legs all year leading going into the final hand-off," said Townsend. "Then [Erickson] got the most explosive start she's ever had and, in so doing, put herself a little out of reach. [Gonzales] yelled for her to slow up and got the baton into Jaimee's hand right at the end of the zone."

Stanton won a place in the finals in the 300 hurdles by running 47.03 for second in her heat. She also topped the bar at 10-6 in the pole vault to win a spot in the finals, then sat the rest of the night out in the event to concentrate on the 300 hurdles.

Stanton ran 16.85 to finish fourth in her heat in the 100 hurdles, but didn't advance in the event.

Dodson won her heat in the 400 in 57.35 to qualify for the finals, and she ran 25.56 in the 200 to win a finals berth.

Caroline Stege (59.3), Samantha Peppard (60.4), Ashley Benson (61.3) and Dodson (59.0 ) ran 4:00.34 to finish second overall and secure a finals spot.

Despite a sore ankle, junior Michelle Johnson soared 5-4 in the high jump to earn a finals berth, then sat out the rest of the night.

Freshman Samantha Peppard also earned a CCS berth by finishing seventh overall in the 800 meters in a personal best 2:17.86.

"The 800 this year has proven one of the toughest events in our section as CCS has four girls ranked in the top 10 in state," said Townsend.

That didn't seem to phase Peppard.

"She ran a relaxed but good paced first 400, exactly as planned," said Townsend. "Evelyn Wing took off on the back stretch leaving Sam to push herself. She didn't panic but instead made a calculated gradual move from 500 to 700 meters, then unleashed a fierce kick to bring her within one second of Wing."

Benson was third in her heat and 10th overall in a personal best 2:20.27, and Marlana Shile ran 2:24.26 for 15th overall.

"Historically this is a strong event for us," said Townsend. "And we had three girls represent us very well."

Junior Caroline Stege was third in her 400 heat in 59.55, and sophomore Sanishya Fernando was fourth in her heat in 61.86, but neither advanced.

Freshman Jaimee Erickson ran a personal best 12.99 in the 100-meter dash. It was good for fourth in her heat, but she didn't advance. She was also fourth in her heat in the 200 in a personal best 26.51.

Freshman Jill Goodwin was seventh in her heat in the 1,600 meters in 5:22, but failed to advance.

In boys competition, Chris Little was second in the pole vault at 14-6, Devin Lopez was fifth in the shot put at 50-7.5 with teammate Danny Starick sixth at 50-4 and Chad Blanchard was fifth in the 800 in 1:56.13, all good for qualification to the CCS finals.

Greg Geldman was 12th in the 3,200 meters in 9:43.38.