This past Thursday and Saturday Grants Pass Track and Field hosted the 2014 SouthWest Conference District Meet at Russ Werner Field. Sheldon, South Eugene, Thurston, Roseburg, Grants Pass, North Medford, South Medford, and Crater make up one of the premiere Track and Field Conferences in the State of Oregon. In order for Athletes to compete at State the following week at Historic Hayward Field, commonly known as the “Track Capital of the World”, they had to finish top 2 in their Event. Needless to say the competition was tough, the stakes were high, there was no room for error, so the atmosphere up at the Track was electric.
Grants Pass Track and Field (GPTF) did not disappoint. Going into the Meet they had won every Invitational Track Meet and had an 11-1 Dual Meet Record. After it was all said and done, they sent 15 athletes to State, set a new school Record in the Discus (Drake Brennan), earned 11 District Champions, and garnered 2nd Place Finishes by both Boy’s and Girl’s Teams. Both Teams will now leave for Eugene, Oregon to compete at the State Meet with all classifications in Oregon 1A-6A. The State Meet takes place at Hayward Field which has held numerous Olympic Trials, Track and Field Championships, and the World Renowned Prefontaine Classic where World Records are Broke and Set. Attendance on a typical day for these HS Athletes will number 7,000-10,000 people!
The peak performances were also a result of efforts by the entire District 7: from the facility being in top shape thanks to the Grounds Crew, Programs featured colored articles and up to date information compliments to the Pros in the Print Shop, spectators and fans received “live updates” courtesy of our IS Department, local businesses chipped in their resources, District Staff helped with Events/Timing/Logistics. In other words it was a complete Team Effort. All this made possible thanks to the efforts, support, and philosophy of our entire Community here in Grants Pass.
Additional coverage and video from KDRV