Grapevine's Monte Willett finished fourth in 2007 and is seeded fourth this year. He'll be joined at state by his teammate, Dave Taylor, who won Region I by clearing 16-0 and is seeded second.

But all eyes will be on West's Blaine Bassler, who cleared the top height (17-0) in the state and second best in the nation at the 3A Region II meet. Bassler is the defending 3A state champion. Royse City's Luke Beck will be Blasser's primary competition in 3A.

Keller Fossil Ridge's Jeffrey Rodriguez will match up against defending 4A champion Kaleb Shrader of Gregory-Portland and Vidor's Jared Parker, who has the second-highest jump of the season at 16-6.

ERIC ESHBACH: Orangefield