APRIL 11 Edition - 1st of TWO Green High School Invitational will start at There will be an admission charge of $3 for adults and $2 for school-aged children at the middle school meet. The cost for the prep event is $4 and $3. Getting to the point of hosting the massive meets with roughly two dozen teams wasn’t as easy as one might think. Before any of the invitations were sent out, organizers needed to find a sponsor to cover the expenses that include trophies, medals, ribbons, officials and a number of other related expenses. "We solicited several people to become sponsors," said Steve Sellas, the chairman of the Bridgeport Track & Field boosters. "We were looking for a sponsor for both meets and we thought that would make it difficult. But, Harry Green stepped to the plate and offered to do both." The reason for their commitment was two-fold. "First of all Harry Green knows this is something beneficial to the kids and kids are the ones we want to put first," said Hal Green, vice president of Harry Green Chevrolet-Jeep-Nissan on his company's involvement. "We also felt it was important to recognized the dedication, hard work and effort of those involved in making the track in reality." Harry Green isn't the only sponsor. They're the main sponsor. Sellas said Bank One, Medbrook and KCI Aviation will also provide additional financial support to the meet. Bank One, said Sellas, has also offered volunteers to help with the event. All the help, according to organizers, is welcome. "The expense of running a major track meet is enormous," said BHS boys coach Jon Griffith. "Trophies and ribbons for the athletes, officials, and the hospitality room are major expenses." The payoff, organizers say, is that the school's athletes will be allowed to host a first-class meet. Also, the community will be allowed to view the activities. "You're looking at some of the top athletes in the state who will be here," said girls coach Jim Dawson. "You have (Philip Barbour's) Scott Mayle, ( (Grafton's) Sherri Flohr and ( Lindsey (and) Joe Ielapi as well as others." Those attending both days will likely see the beginning of the meet involve the field events and qualifying events and trials in the running competitions. That will be followed by a break of up to an hour and a second session where the finals of the running events will be held. Sellas said the fact the schools are able to host an event of this magnitude was something not possible a few years ago. "You look back to what we had two years ago when we had nothing but a cinder track and you get a good feeling," said Sellas. "We want others to feel good about our track as well and we plan on making this event a first-class meet. We want them to come back next year and, more importantly, we want them to want to come back next year." Tomorrow's middle school meet will include Buckhannon, Doddridge County, East Fairmont, Elkins, Gore, Lumberport, Robert L. Bland, Ritchie County, Salem, South Harrison, Taylor County and the host school. Saturday's prep event will include Grafton, Ritchie, the host school. |