Several teams will travel to Whale Branch High School today to compete in the inaugural Marwin Kline Invitational track meet.

Kline is a former Battery Creek standout. His 400-meter time of 47.11 seconds in 1991 is among the top 10 times in state history. Kline, a three-time all-American at Tennessee, is expected to be in attendance.

Battery Creek, Beaufort High, Bluffton, Hardeeville and Ridgeland are the area teams joining the hosts. Allendale-Fairfax, Edisto and Orangeburg-Wilkinson are also registered to compete.

Whale Branch coach Terry Fillmore said the meet should be popular for its automatic timing, a must for trustworthy times.

"We've got a lot of tough athletes out there," Fillmore said.

The hosts should provide some highlights in individual events, while Beaufort High boasts the depth to lay claim as favorites.

Whale Branch sprinter Andre Watson owns the state's fastest time in the 100-meter dash, at 10.68. Before this past weekend, Whale Branch claimed the best 100 time, best long jump and best 4x100 relay performances in the state, in all classes. Watson's number remains at the top.

An event to watch might be the 4x100 relay. Whale Branch and Beaufort High enter the meet with the same time, with Orangeburg-Wilkinson less than one-tenth of a second behind.

Beaufort High's boys and girls won the Savannah State High School Invitational this past weekend, with Ridgeland's boys and Whale Branch's boys finishing second and third, respectively.

MARWIN KLINE INVITATIONAL

What: Inaugural track meet named for former Battery Creek standout, hosted by Whale Branch High School

When: Today, 10 a.m.

Where: Whale Branch High School track

Admission: $5

Teams: Allendale-Fairfax, Battery Creek, Beaufort High, Bluffton, Edisto, Hardeeville, Orangeburg-Wilkinson, Ridgeland, Whale Branch