The Steak n\' Shake track invitational will be held at the University of South Florida Track Complex on March 1, 2003. The first year event will be conducted in standard meet format with preliminaries in the morning, followed by one heat finals advancing by time in the afternoon. Thanks to the quality meet staff and funds made available by corporate sponsorship, it looks to be a truly first class meet.
Officials will take advantage of a fully automated Hytek timing, USA Track and Field Certified Officials on all events, and fully synthetic nine lane track surface. Deep awards will leave many happy coaches and athletes carrying home plenty of top notch hardware. Trophies will be awarded to the first place winners in all events, medals will go to second and third, fourth through sixth place athletes will be awarded ribbons, and there will be a team champion trophy as well as trophies for the meet MVPs. The meet aims at bringing together a highly competitive meet for Florida\'s west coast--where usually area teams must travel to Gainesville or Jacksonville to find such competition.
\"The goal is to bring together some of the best competition from around the state and give them a first class stage to showcase their abilities,\" co-meet director Jason Tyrell said. Tyrell stated further that they is excited at having certified officials and a fully automated timing system so that they can \"assure that the meet will be run fair and precise.\"
Looking toward the future already, if the meet is a success the meet directors would like to be able to expand the meet to a two day format allowing more teams and athletes the chance to compete. So call it a trial run, but from the looks of things Steak n\' Shake might just become the top early season meet this year and in years to come. Mark it on your calendars now: you won\'t want to miss this one!
For more information email GonRunn@aol.com or check out the meet web site at http://www.steaknshaketrack.com/.