MARYSVILLE – Kiarra Green enjoys the team aspect of track, even though most people think of it as an individual sport.

Green, a sophomore, starts off both of Marysville Getchell High Schools relay teams that have qualified for state Thursday through Saturday at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma.

On the 4×100 relay with her are Chloe Bishop, Maddie Grandbois and Sophie Alt.

MG Coach Kim Edens it’s not just speed that makes that team successful. The race is so fast it’s all about the handoffs.

“I’ve tried to keep the team together as long as possible, and their handoffs have gotten better,” Edens said. Green said, “Handing off to Chloe is just so natural” now. Edens said Grandbois may not be their fastest sprinter, but she’s great at running the corner. The 4×200 race is made up of almost the same team: Green to Bishop to senior Sabrina Farrell to Grandbois. “Team chemistry is key, and these four work well” together, Edens said.

The coach said the times for both relay teams are improving.

“The times were cruddy up until now” that the weather is getting better, she added.

Green will also compete at state in the 200 meters, which she won at districts. She did not qualify in the 400 meters, which she decided to try at districts because she was ranked higher there than in the 100.

She said her mom also was a high school sprinter.

“Sports is a big deal in my family,” she said. “Almost as big as school.”

Green said she likes the relays because she has teammates she can lean on.

“It’s less pressure. It’s not just you,” she said.

Gregory Panther is the only boy to make it. He will compete in the 800 meters. He was third at districts.