Eight sprinters settle into their blocks as excited teammates offer words of encouragement. The crowd at McMann Field in Bath buzzes because one of the most exciting track events — the 100-meter dash — is just moments away from starting.

Spectators at the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference championship meet would later become captivated with the hurdles and the 1,600.

“To the casual observer, the 100 and the 1,600, everyone knows what’s happening there,” Waterville coach Ian Wilson said. “Those are the ones that get everybody’s attention.”

Seemingly miles away, out of sight and out of mind to said observers, a pair of throwers — Nick Margitza and Nick Danner — are busy delivering what will be a seventh consecutive KVAC B title to the Waterville boys track and field team.

Their presence is only present when they are beckoned to accept a medal for performances that often go unnoticed at large track and field meets.

“I call them the quiet points,” Wilson said. “These are the points that pile up in field events that don’t get noticed. Nobody on our team is surprised by them, but they can surprise others.”

Added Danner, a junior: “Sometimes we don’t get the recognition we want. But it’s OK. We know what we can do.”

The Waterville boys track and field team will try to win their second consecutive Class B state title and fifth in seven years on Saturday at Mount Desert Island High School. The Purple Panthers battled Falmouth in that stretch, and the two powers are poised for another showdown. Wilson said his team will need to control the field events to win the title.

“We’ll need at least 30 points from our throwers,” he said. “Realistically, we’ll need 33, 34. But they are capable of doing it.”

Margitza and Danner understand what they need to do, and they welcome the challenge.

“Going into states, Nick Danner and I will play big roles,” said Margitza, a senior. “We’ll have to be at our best to win states. We’ve been in this situation before. We’re excited.”

Added Danner: “It’s going to be fun. We’re just trying to help each other improve. We’re ready to go and show what we can do.”

They’ve already done plenty this spring.

Danner is the top javelin thrower in the state, regardless of class. His top throw is 190 feet, 2 inches. Yarmouth senior Chris Knaub has the next closest throw at 179-7. The Class B state record, set by Ryan Staples of Leavitt in 2005, is 179-1.

That record could fall Saturday if Danner hits a throw like he did in the conference championship meet.

“Nick Danner has been pretty consistent for us all year,” Wilson said.

So, too, has Margitza. Like Danner, Margitza comes to MDI as the top seed in his premier event. Margitza is seeded first in the shot put with a throw of 53-5.75. That throw is tops in the state this season, also regardless of class.

Medomak Valley senior Yannick Price-Prevot is seeded second with a throw of 51-10.

“The past throws are great but it’s about what you do next,” Margitza said. “You are only as good as your last throw. I go into the event with a big target on my back, but that’s OK. I want to have the best shot put in the state.”

Margitza is also seeded second in the discus, which he’s thrown 147-7 this season. Danner is seeded fourth in that event with a throw of 133-4.

Danner will also run on the 4×100 relay team that is seeded eighth.

“Most of our points will come in the field events,” Wilson said.

And there’s a good chance they will come with little attention Saturday.

“Being overlooked is not always a bad thing,” Margitza said. “We don’t need the glamour. We don’t need the eyes of people watching us all the time. We’ll just go out and do what we do.”

Bill Stewart — 621-5640

bstewart@centralmaine.com

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