DeSoto's Diamond Richardson and El Paso Hanks' Kendra Chambers staged Round 1 at the 5A Region I meet, where Richardson edged Chambers by .01 seconds. Round 2 comes at state, where Chambers was sixth in 2007.

Lancaster senior Teegan Hill had been used primarily on relays until this season and has thrived in a featured role in the 400. Hill, a Vanderbilt signee, is seeded second after running her best time of the season, 55.17, at the 4A Region II meet.

Her teammate, Jerneshia Mergerson, is back in the 4A field after finishing fifth in 2007.

Sherman's Alicia Peterson, the 2007 4A runner-up, also returns, as does top-seeded Judy Nwosu of Manor.

Prosper's Kim Castleberry is seeded first in 3A after her season-best run of 57.18 at the Region II meet.

BRANDI CROSS: Fort Bend Marshall