From the July 3 Edition of The Bridgeport News
All Comers Results

by Jeff Toquinto
Editor of The Bridgeport News

Although the numbers weren't nearly as high as those
organizing it would have liked, the first-ever
Bridgeport Open All-Comers Track & Field Meet at the
Track to the Future Complex at Wayne Jamison Field
still will likely be an annual event. In fact, there
may be several each year, according to organizer Jon Griffith.
"We would like to make this an annual event, but there
may be some additional all-comers meets on the
horizon," said Griffith, who also coaches the boys
track team. "Some of our local community members are
starting a track and field club team."The team, which
will be called "The Bridgeport Warriors Track & Field
Club," will participate in indoor and outdoor meets
throughout West Virginia and the region. The group
(which will be featured in an upcoming edition of The
Bridgeport News) may host several meets like the one held Saturday.
The hope, though, is that the participation will be
much higher than it was Saturday. Griffith said there
were only 26 competitors - 25 male and 5 female -
during the meet. The ages were from 5 to 59.
"We had hoped for a larger number of athletes," said
Griffith, "but, the meet was not aggressively
advertised. That is something we intend to do more of
in the future. The numbers were the biggest
disappointment, but all the athletes and spectators
seemed to have had a good time."
The weather cooperated, although the temperature did
get a bit in the afternoon. Griffith said the heat may
have affected times, especially the distance races.
Still, the numbers were solid and some individuals
posted excellent marks in the inaugural event.
Griffith said Richard Duez, in the 40 years and up
Masters Division, was strong in the 100 and 200
meters. Jeff Weimer, a current BHS track standout,
posted a time of 11.3 seconds in the 100 meters.
In the 13 to 15 age group, A.J. Paletta posted a time
of 56 seconds in the 400 meters. Griffith said it was
the first time he ran that event.
One of the most impressive showings was by Robin
Anglin. Anglin competed in seven events during the meet.
Along with those individuals, Griffith said several
families had multiple athletes take part in the meet.
"It was a good time," added Griffith.
The meet also allowed the school coaches to work
directly with their athletes, which is allowed in the
WVSSAC's new summer workout session. The students
voluntarily participating will wrap up the summer session today.