From the June 26 Edition of The Bridgeport News
All-Comers Preview

by Jeff Toquinto
Editor of The Bridgeport News

For the past several years, Bridgeport High School
track coaches Jon Griffith and Jim Dawson, and
occasionally a few BHS track athletes, have found
their way to Charleston to compete in a handful of
"All-Comers" track meets. The meets in Charleston,
which are sponsored by The Capital City Striders track
club, apparently have made an impact upon Griffith and Dawson.
This weekend, the city will host its first-ever meet -
the Bridgeport Open All-Comers Track & Field Meet at
the Track to the Future Complex at Wayne Jamison
Field. And as the name suggests, virtually anyone can take part in the event.
"Anyone can compete," said Griffith, the BHS boys
track coach. "We have seven age groups for 5 years and up."
Those taking part can take part in just about any
segment of a regular track and field meet. Events will
include sprinting, middle distance, distance, hurdles, throwing and jumping.
So how many people are Griffith, Dawson and the rest
of the organizers hoping turn out? That's the great unknown.
"We really aren't sure," said Griffith. "There are a
lot of variables with an event like this. We do
anticipate a fairly large turnout."
Griffith is hopeful track athletes from middle schools
and high schools throughout the area will take part.
Prep and middle school athletes can compete in the
event, said Griffith, and he's hoping a lot of those
kids, particularly ones in Bridgeport, will take
advantage of the opportunity.
"The main goal is for everyone to have fun, but it
gives current and former track athletes an additional
opportunity to compete," said Griffith. "Also we are
exposing track and field to younger kids who will
someday be a part of the middle school and varsity
track and field programs."
If the turnout is significant, or even fair, Griffith
said the event will be back next year. In fact, the
hope is to make it an annual summer event.
Along with encouraging young and young at heart to
participate, Griffith is inviting others to come down
and be a spectator. There is no cost to watch the event.
There is a nominal fee of $1 per event competed in to
help cover expenses, which includes ribbons to those
placing first through third. There is no admission fee to the event.
"Once we prove the viability of the event we hope to
find a sponsor for next year," said Griffith.
Griffith said there are also plans to have a
concession stand for the meet. The meet begins at 10
a.m. and could run as late as 5 p.m., depending on the
number of participants.
A few years ago, an all-comers meet was simply
impossible. But, the arrival of the new track at BHS
has given BHS and the city a chance to host the event.
"Without the new track and field event areas we could
never have been able to pull off this type of event," said Griffith.