It’s not the first-ever Connect-Bridgeport.com Track Invitational. However, this year’s version not only will be the first of its kind here in Harrison County, but could be the first of its kind in the state.

 

The Invitational will feature roughly 25 teams and what makes it unique is that the meet will host both prep and middle school teams – at the same time. Although they won’t be competing against one another, they will be scheduled around one another.

 

“To my knowledge it is the only one in the state now, or ever,” said long-time BHS boys track Coach Jon Griffith. “We have been toying around with the idea for about 10 years.  The time seemed right to make the change.  Hopefully, things will go according to plan.”

 

The plan unfolds this Friday and ends Saturday (March 27-28) at Wayne Jamison Field. The meet begins at 4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday.

 

While the competition is certainly a good thing for Bridgeport High School, Bridgeport Middle School and the rest of the field, it’s also going to be a good two days for the local economy. Hundreds of athletes and even more spectators will be on hand for the two-day event.

 

“With 25 schools, we should have over 500 athletes,” said Griffith. “If (those athletes) each bring a couple of parents or fans with them I would estimate around 1500 people total could be in town,” said Griffith.

 

While the teams likely won’t be spending the night, due to the length of the meet there’s a really good chance that many local venues will be hit up for business.

 

The field will be among the biggest ever at Wayne Jamison Field for a track meet and Griffith said there’s still a bit room for more. In fact, Griffith said he hopes it will grow in years to come.

 

“I think it will grow as teams see what we are doing.  It is a great way for high school teams to run the West Virginia State Meet schedule and additional time each year,” said Griffith. “It also serves as a preview for the middle school athletes to experience the schedule before they get to high school.  Our plan is to keep it a single two-day meet regardless of the number of teams we have.  If it grows too much we will have to cap the number of teams.”

 

As part of the growth for the future, Griffith said he hopes to draw from a larger area in the years ahead.

 

“We anticipate that we will begin drawing from a much larger area next year and years following as the meet hopefully will grow.  We have had good success in the past drawing teams from around the state and beyond, so there is no reason to think that this meet won’t follow suit,” said Griffith.

 

The high school teams competing in the event include Bridgeport, the Indians, Robert C. Byrd, Fairmont Senior, Morgantown, Morgantown jayvee, Philip Barbour, Liberty, Doddridge County, Doddridge jayvee, Trinity, Braxton County, and Notre Dame. The middle school teams include Bridgeport, the Indians, Taylor County, Buckhannon-Upshur, Buckhannon jayvee, Mountaineer, South Harrison, Doddridge County, Doddridge County jayvee, Notre Dame, Elkins and Washington Irving.