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KETTERING — The entire track and field regular season has been a long training run for Dayton Christian twins John and Walter Luttrell.

Beginning today, May 20, the payoff begins.

"We can't really get all the great times other runners do, because we really have to pack on the miles. So we're really tired for a lot of our races," said John on the eve of the Division III boys and girls high school district meet at Welcome Stadium.

"We're really aiming for the last meet of the season. We can't be slacking off for the mile in the middle of the season just to get a good time. That's really sort of been a downer, but, hopefully, it'll all pay off."

It did last year, resulting in a stunning run to the D-III state team title.

The twins join a handful of other area athletes in their quests for state individual and team titles with this week's district meets at Welcome, Troy and West Milton. The top four advance to next week's regionals. Those top four qualify to the season-ending state meets at Columbus on June 6-7.

DC was under-the-radar deep last spring, placing second in the 3,200-meter relay, 800, 1,600 and winning the 3,200. That was enough to overtake Columbus Grove by two points and Sam Borchers-led Yellow Springs for big hardware that wasn't secured until Walter and John placed 1-3 in the 3,200, the second to last event.

This year, every D-III contender knows about the twins. But it'll be a longshot for DC to defend its title. A heavy-duty twins triple of the 1,600, 800 and 3,200 is not likely to overcome Gilmour Academy's overall depth.

"We'll probably make a decision after the district," said Walter, who owns season bests of 9:09 in the 3,200 and 2:02 in the 800.

"We're definitely going to double at state, no matter what."

Coach Marc Combs is guardedly cautious."I have something in my mind," said the longtime Carlisle teacher.

"I don't anticipate that they will triple all the way to state. Look at history. Has anybody really pulled that off?"

Their best shot would be bonus points from an improving 3,200 relay and place 1-2 in as many events as possible.

The twins will run at University of Kentucky on scholarship. They're the latest in an outstanding run of area distance aces the last decade.

Last fall Walter nipped John at the tape to win the D-III cross country title.

"The focus has been to do our best getting to state, and then have success there," said Combs, who estimated the twins have averaged 50 weekly miles since last summer.

"They have done some amazing things the past four years."

Contact this reporter at 225-2381

or mpendleton@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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