Cary House can’t pinpoint a specific year, but he thinks either 1994 or 1995 was the last time a Highland boys track team broke into the top 20 in the weekly coach’s poll.

That the 2008 version remains on the outside looking in bothers the sixth-year Scots coach.

“I think we are a top 20 team; I think there are teams in (the top 20) that we can beat,” said House, whose team is undefeated entering today’s 13-team Mount Vernon Sectional. “This has just been a phenomenal season for us, and I just want the kids to get that recognition.”

Highland can take large strides toward that objective by advancing numerous athletes on to next week’s regional at Indianapolis North Central.

House, whose program eked out a one-point victory over Anderson for the 2007 sectional team title, is confident such a scenario will play out.

“Everyone on our team should place for us and most should finish in the top five,” he said.

Among the Scots’ strong first-place possibilities are Jay Mohr in the long jump, Kerry Detienne in the shot put, sophomore high jumpers Lawrence Cotton and Tyler Moore and 3,200-meter relay participant D.J. Taylor.

Mohr and Detienne were regional qualifiers a year ago, finishing eighth and 10th, respectively, in their specialties.

Another regional veteran looking to get back is Anderson senior Justin Fuller, who placed second in the 200-meter dash and third in the 100 last year at Mount Vernon.

“Justin should do real good in the 100 and could win the 200,” said Indians coach Bill Coggins. “We’re just trying to get individuals out and not care too much about the team score.”

Sophomore Rowshawn Nunn could find himself advancing in both the long jump, where his season best is 19 feet, 10 1/2 inches, and as part of Anderson’s 400-meter relay team that includes juniors Adam Morris and Daryl Watkins and Fuller.

Coggins also likes sophomore 800 runners Matt Gray and Demetrius Brown and the 3,200 relay combination of Andrew Shella, Matt Gray, Andrew Gray and Brown.

Pendleton Heights, too, comes in with plenty of potential regional qualifiers.

As a freshman last season, Nathan Hendershot took second in the 400-meter dash at sectional, but Arabians coach Kevin Wolf is using him today in the 800 and as anchor in the 1,600 relay. Junior Evan Groninger took third in the 110-meter high hurdles and was fifth in the 300 lows in 2007, but will just be running the 300s and taking part in the 1,600 relay today.

“In the sectional meet I’ve gone in with the philosophy that I’m going to do what’s best for the kids,” explains Wolf. “Track is a team sport, but it has some individual aspects to it.”