The defending Class AA state champion Bridgeport High School girls’ track team and the third place Indians boys’ track team will kick off the 2017 season today with the annual Connect-Bridgeport Invitational. And again as an added bonus, there will be a good-sized middle school portion of the event at Bridgeport Middle School will be hosting a competitive field during the two-day competition.

 

The competition kicks off at 4 p.m. today at the Wayne Jamison Field complex. Action resumes Saturday at 9 a.m.

 

The high school teams participating along with BHS include Morgantown, Trinity, Doddridge County, Braxton County, Notre Dame, Woodrow Wilson and Preston. The middle school programs joining the host school include Robert L. Bland, Notre Dame, Doddridge County, Lincoln, Mountaineer Middle, Washington Irving, Central Preston, Wood County Christian, Braxton County, Mountaineer Middle (Monongalia County), Buckhannon-Upshur and South.

Even with the participants, it’s not one of the biggest meets the Tribe will take part in this year. However, it’s a strong field to get things started and it also has a unique twist.

 

“While the number of teams isn’t that large, we are allowing the high schools to have unlimited entries.  That is great in terms of early season preparation to further identify where kids fit into the team most effectively and will have the best chance for success as the season progresses,” said BHS boys’ track Coach Jon Griffith. “It looks like we will have over 800 athletes here this weekend between the high school and middle school teams.”

 

Griffith said not only is the format unique and that the meet will have a significant number of athletes, he is also anticipating a competitive field.

 

“Morgantown looks to have one of the best AAA teams in the state, Doddridge is one of the elite single A schools in the state, and Bridgeport holds its own in AA,” said Griffith. “It should be an interesting matchup of different classes. It’s too early to have much information on the top athletes, but the weather looks like it is going to cooperate and we should see some very good early season competition.”

 

The cost to get in each day is $5. There will be concessions available and t-shirts for sale.