April 15, 2004
by Jeff Toquinto
Editor of The Bridgeport News

Apparently, it wasn’t enough for organizers of the Harry Green Invitational to have one of the best in-state track events in the state. This year, Saturday’s prep portion of the third annual Harry Green Invitational will include teams from Maryland.
”We have two teams coming from Maryland,” said BHS boys track coach Jon Griffith. “They are from Beall and Southern Garrett.”
Adding those teams to the list makes an already impressive meet move even a notch higher among events to circle on the state track schedule. Along with BHS and the Maryland schools this year will be Preston, Morgantown, University, Parkersburg, Buckhannon-Upshur, Keyser, Frankfort, Robert C. Byrd, Lewis County, Philip Barbour, South Harrison, Liberty, Lincoln and the Bridgeport junior varsity.
”Preston, Parkersburg and University are among the best (Class) AAA teams in the state,” said Griffith of the boys portion of the meet.
It is the presence of some of the teams in the Class AAA division that has Griffith anticipating Saturday's event. With the switch to 'AAA' next year, Griffith said Saturday's meet could prove to be the measuring stick for where the team stacks up now and where it needs to go in the future.
"This meet may be among the toughest we have all year, but it's more of a measurement of things to come next year rather that this year," said Griffith.
Griffith is hoping to do well in several areas. Most notable are the sprints, hurdles and field events. Youngsters such as Jeff Weimer, Matt Fischer, Matt Wilson and a host of others will have to lead the way if BHS is expected to contend in the top-flight competition.
As for the girls, veteran coach Jim Dawson's squad should have several that fare well against the hodgepodge of state powers from various classes. Dawson said Preston, Morgantown, Buckhannon-Upshur, Frankfort and Parkersburg should all be frontrunners, with B-U among his favorites.
"We can run with all of them," said Dawson. "But, we don't have the depth that the other schools mentioned have."
Pole vaulter Emilee Stout, last year's state champion, has already shown the reason why she won the 2003 state title. Also, hurdles standout Sarah Abbate has been picking up where she left off a season ago, while Jenna Fogg and Kate Merinar will need to come up big in what Dawson believes is a premier event.
"This is the best field since we started this meet," said Dawson. "It may be the best invitational in the state that is hosted at a school facility for Class AA."
The Tribe will also likely receive a boost from the return of Lauren Gilbert. Gilbert missed a few early meets due to resting weary knees. She returned to the fold in the last two meets after completing the required number of practices.
"We hope the community will come out and see the meet," said Griffith. "It should be quite an event."
The high school meet begins at 11 a.m. Admission is $4.