It’s survival of the fastest.

As the indoor track season draws to a close, the field has thinned and 12 Dartmouth High athletes have emerged as qualifiers for State Divisional Championships from both the boys and girls teams, with two others on the cusp.

Leading the way in qualifying was senior James Marden, who set a school record in the 55 meter dash with a time of 6.78 secs.

Marden said it was his first year running track, as his main sport is football, where he plays wide receiver.

“I was trying to improve my speed because I want to play [football] in college,” he said, adding that he has enjoyed the direct competition he’s found in track. “I love to compete. I just want to show what I’ve got all the time.”

Also qualifying from the boys team was junior Aidan Carreiro in the 1,000 meter, with a personal best of 2:51.31. It was his first time qualifying for state divisionals.

“It feels really good I made it this year,” he said. “I’m a little nervous — the competition should be pretty good — but I’m ready for it."

Charlie Fairfax also qualified in the 1,000 meter.

On the girls team, nine athletes qualified for the state divisional tournament including some who made it in two different events.

Heading off the list is Senior Captain Sorrelle Lawton who qualified in the 300 meter dash.

Junior Madison Stott, also qualified in the 300 meter, setting her personal best at her first meet of the season and qualifying for state at the same time.

“I just gave it my all,” said Stott, who explained that she had just been trying to set a benchmark time to get her season started.

Stott said she has qualified for state divisionals every year since she was a freshman and is excited to go back as the strong competition is a great motivator.

“I feel like I’ll do my best because I’ll have the other girls there pushing me,” she said.

Also qualifying individually from the girls team were Kate Smith (55 meter hurdles), Makai Vincent (high jump), Gracie Rose (1,000 meter), Serena Carnes (mile), Amya Moura (mile), and Kaitlyn daSilva (mile).

The girls 4x200 relay team also made it to the tournament. The team will include Lawton, Stott, Smith and Mia Carter.

In addition to the twelve qualifiers, two shot putters, Braden Medeiros and Michael Figueiredo, from the boys teams still have hopes of making it to the tournament with final seeding still yet to be determined.

The State Divisional Tournament will be held at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston between Wednesday, Feb. 16 and Sunday, Feb. 20.