"Our primary goal has been there all season - we just want time drops," Clearfield head coach Jackie Morrison said. "The top eight or 16 will take care of itself if they have time drops.

"We can't really focus on placing, medals and all-state. ... We don't discuss it at practice, we simply talk about ‘what do we need to do to get faster at the state meet.' "

Clearfield will send a total of 12 swimmers and divers to Bucknell's McKinney Natatorium on Wednesday and Thursday, with the boys and girls participating in 11 different events.

And while some are veterans with state experience and others are experiencing competition at the top level for the first time, the message is the same for all involved.

"Take care of those things that you can control, and don't waste energy or time on things that we don't control," Morrison said. "It really is about them down there, and not about anybody else at all."

That means concentrating on besting personal times, and in that department the news is good, as Morrison thinks the team is peaking at just the right moment.

"Anybody can win from any heat, you can never underestimate anyone and you can never be overconfident," she said.

"I think it's motivation for them that there is more to come. They know that they haven't spent it all. There's still some money in the bank. That will be a mental factor that will be on their side."

The boys are a senior-laden group, and a good number of this year's qualifiers are returning from last year's PIAA meet.

Highlighting that list is Mark Krchnak, who's constant re-setting of pool, team and district records in the 100 breaststroke this season place him as a No. 4 seed and a contender for an elusive state title. He enters the competition after swimming his personal best 59.40 at regionals.

Krchnak will also hit the pool in the 200 IM on Day 1 of the meet.

Fellow senior Shay Flanagan will also swim in two individual events, starting things off on Day 1 in the 200 free, an event in which the big freestyler has come on strong this season.

"Usually the 500 is his primary focus," Morrison said, "but I think he's just as focused now on the 200. I've never seen him so excited about the 200 free."

Thursday will see Flanagan try to take a bite out of the competition in the 500 free, where he is seeded ninth after his season-best 4:51.59 at the regional championships.

That time is still off of his swim a year ago at states, when he notched a school-record 4:45.66. Despite being behind that speed, there's little concern Flanagan can't stay in the mix at Bucknell.

"He also knows he's not fully tapered, and we broke him down pretty good this year," Morrison said. "He's not completely healed up yet, and when he is I think he'll be fine."

Teammate Kraig Peterson will also try to make some noise in the 500 free, where he qualified alongside Flanagan at regionals with a 4:58.51.

The Bisons managed to qualify teams in all three relay events - the 200 medley relay, 200 free relay and 400 free relay.

Flanagan, Krchnak, Peterson, Connor Shirey, Justin DeCasper and Jordan Mumma will combine their efforts in the adrenaline-filled, sprint-to-the-finish races.

The boys will also send divers Steven Williams and Jason Maines to the meet. It will be a repeat visit for Williams, who made it through the semifinal round last year and returns after a solid regular season campaign and a District 9 League title.

Although they have less experience to offer up, the Lady Bisons enter the mid-week meet looking to make some noise and improve their times. The fact their seedings may not be impressive is inconsequential to these girls.

"We talked about some goal times, and we do have a time in mind that we want the kids to hit," Morrison said. "They are really into that and very committed to that goal."

In a somewhat surprising result, the Lady Bison 200 free relay squad grabbed a spot at the state meet, qualifying automatically with a time of 1:45.97 thanks to the efforts of Branda Smeltzer, Marisa Howell, Brandie Centi and Ashley Durandetta.

"I'm very proud that they made it," Morrison said. "Three months ago I don't think I could have predicted a relay going through. Maybe an individual or two, which is what happened, but a relay I wasn't quite sure we had what it took."

Howell, a senior, will also make her PIAA return in the 100 fly and will look to improve her 15-seed standing in Thursday's race.

Getting a chance to learn and test herself against the best Pennsylvania has to offer, junior Centi - coming on strong throughout the year - will get her first individual state experience in the free-for-all 50 free on Day 2.

"Brandie is excited to go for her first individual event," Morrison said.

Swimming kicks off on Wednesday at 8 a.m., when the girls preliminaries get under way.