Skyline sprinter Candace Jackson isn't a stranger to the UIL state meet. She competed on all three of Skyline's relay teams last year as a sophomore.

Jackson, however, will enter this year's state meet with a different kind of motivation. Her goal in the 2007 meet was to perform at a high level for her relay teammates.

"It's a little different because this is my first time making it as an individual," said Jackson, who will compete in the 200 meters as well as the 4x100 and 4x400 relays this weekend. "Last year, I didn't run the 200 at district because I was hurt."

Performing well in the relays still is a top priority, but with Skyline not having a 4x200 team at state, Jackson said there's pressure to fare well in the 200.

She'll enter competition with the third-best qualifying time behind Mansfield Timberview's LaKeidra Stewart (23.26) and Arlington Martin's Pam Vinson (24.12).

"We didn't make it in the 4x200, and we could have used those points if we [as a team] want to win state," Jackson said, referring to the double points earned in relays. "There's going to be pressure, but we're used to it. It's nothing we haven't been through."

Jackson won the 5A Region II meet with a time of 24.30 and helped Skyline win the regional team championship.