The discus cage was set up Tuesday. Sand from a nearby gravel pit was carted in this week, which finished up the area for jumpers.

The track and field facility at Erskine Academy is ready for its first-ever meet, which will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday.

"The discus cage took most of (Tuesday)," Erskine athletic director Doran Stout said. "It took five hours to put that baby up. It's exciting."

The history-making meet Friday will bring Waterville, Messalonskee, Lawrence and Maine Central Institute to South China. The track meet is just one of four events Erskine is hosting Friday -- the baseball, softball and tennis teams will also be in action.

"We'll have 450 athletes here Friday," Stout said, "and that would be without any fans."

The parking situation?

"That's going to be a problem," said Stout, who also asked track and field spectators to bring chairs because there are no bleachers at the facility. "We're going to have 10 buses at the school. I think I have an idea of where to put them. I'm sure it will look chaotic, but most track meets do. We'll pull it all off."

Added Erskine coach Scott Rollins: "We're good to go. We have a little sprucing up to do, but everything is in excellent shape."

Because Erskine does not have equipment needed for the pole vault, that event will be held today at Waterville.

• • •

The season is almost over -- just after it began.

Winthrop, like most Mountain Valley Conference teams, got a late start to the season. As a result, the Ramblers face a hectic schedule down the stretch.

When the Ramblers compete today at Hall-Dale, it will be their fourth meet in nine days. Winthrop competed at Madison, Waterville and Mountain Valley during this stretch.

"It's nice to finally be competing, even though the season is almost over," Winthrop coach Ed Van Tassel said. "We've had only four meets, and three came in five days."

Winthrop enjoyed a strong meet Monday in Rumford at Mountain Valley.

Pat Romar won the 400-meter run and the javelin, while freshman Kameron Souza won the 1,600. Tom Conley (800) and Kevin Hart (100) also won events. On the girls team, Kenzie Hill continued her strong season with a victory in the 800.

"We're just showing up and doing our thing," Van Tassel said. "We've had a bunch of kids qualify for the league and state meets, and we're looking forward to getting on some fast tracks."

• • •

The Cony Invitational will be held May 22 -- at Gardiner Area High School.

The Cony track teams are competing on the road this season because of renovations to the Alumni Field track. The Cony Invitational is a popular meet held each year under the lights.

"There's still some things that need to be worked out," Cony coach Shawn Totman said. "But the same teams will be there."

Gardiner coach Eric Hall said Maranacook, Erskine and Hall-Dale have already committed to the meet, along with Gardiner and Cony.

"There are some other teams that want to get in, but we only have one jumping pit, and that could hold up some things," Hall said.

Furthermore, the track at Gardiner is just six lanes, compared to the eight at Alumni Field.

"It does make a big difference," Hall said. "You go four or five heats in the 100 normally, but we'll have to add two or three more heats for this one."

The meet is tentatively scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

• • •

Nikole Robbins is enjoying a standout season. The Gardiner senior won four events at a five-team meet last week with Cony, Oxford Hills, Lisbon and Oak Hill.

She won the 100- and 200-meter dashes, the long jump and triple jump. She is closing in on the school record (33 feet, 8 inches) in the triple jump, as well.

"I'm at 32-8, and I can make up a foot," Robbins said. "I've got my fastest time ever in the 100 (12.98), and I was really psyched."

Robbins will attend the University of Southern Maine next fall, where she'll compete on the Huskies' track and field team.

"I'm getting ready to compete for USM," Robbins said. "I'm just trying to improve on my triple jump and long jump. It's been hard to place in meets because we started out with 20 kids and now we only have like 12 to 15 boys and girls."

Hall said Robbins has been consistent all season.

"Things have been coming together for her the last few weeks," he said. "The sky is the limit for her."

Bill Stewart -- 623-3811, ext. 515

bstewart@centralmaine.com