First, second and third.

That's how Natrona County's Mario Harris, Michael Mounce and Josh Maddox finished in the 100-meter dash at the Class 4A West Regional last week. That sweep, along with their first-, second-, and fourth-place finish in the 200 at regionals were major reasons why the Mustangs ran away with the team title.

Harris, Mounce and Maddox also give NC a strong chance of winning the team title at the Wyoming State High School Track and Field Championships today through Saturday at Harry Geldien Stadium in Casper.

"I like our chances with our sprint core," Mounce said. "… There are so many sprinting events that bring in points and help the score, so having strong sprinters really brings a lot of team points."

NC scored 82 of its 218.5 points at regionals from sprint events. The Mustang's core sprinters of Harris, Mounce and Maddox were major contributors to that chunk of points. Harris led the way with victories in the 100, 200 and 400.

"If it wasn't for him, I think Michael Mounce would have been first in the 1 and 2," NC coach Rosie Brown said.

The results haven't always been that way. This is Harris' first year competing in track, and he was hesitant at first to join the team. But once Harris showed his commitment, Brown called it "the greatest thing in the world."

"Earlier in the season he could not beat them," Brown said. "Michael Mounce and Josh Maddox, every time they go on the track they were one, two, and Mario was third or wherever he fell in. He is just coming around and figuring this track and field thing out. He has been a major asset for us."

Harris also is a major asset for his teammates. Mounce and Harris said practice among the sprinters is extremely competitive. When Brown tells the group to practice at 70-percent effort level, none of them can hold back because they don't want to lose to each other.

"You talk to any track coach with two, three, four very good sprinters and they will tell you the common denominator is the competitiveness that they bring with each practice," Brown said. "When they go up against competition from other schools it's very minor compared to what they go up against in practice."

This weekend the trio has major competition in Laramie's Stephen Michel, Sheridan's Taylor Beard, and Gillette's Dillon Coulter. That doesn't, however, mean the competition among teammates will be any less.

"It's fun to compete with these guys, but when the gun goes off it's pretty individualistic," Mounce said. "When it boils down to it, if you are losing to someone, you want it to be your teammate."

And Mounce has two of the best teammates in the state in Harris and Maddox. Just ask last week's winner.

"We are three of the top sprinters in Wyoming," Harris said. "I think that helped a lot, got us points racked up in that area, and probably helped us get the regional championship."

It could also help them get the state championship.

Contact sports reporter David Buck at (307) 266-0596 or david.buck@trib.com.

State Track Tracker

n WHAT: Wyoming State High School Track and Field Championships.

n WHEN: Today through Saturday.

n WHERE: Harry Geldien Stadium, Casper.

n FAST 'STANGS: Natrona County's Mario Harris, Michael Mounce and Josh Maddox are three of the top sprinters in the state.

n INSIDE: Capsule previews for each class; top marks and times this season; schedule of events and more.