Since our new track was built, we have been unsuccessful in developing a home invitational. Next best would be to host the Southeast Kansas League meet when possible. This season, that will happen on Thursday, May 13.
We are excited about competing at home. Tempering our excitement is the fact that one week later we will host the 16-team southeast Kansas regional. This is a gigantic undertaking.
When Girard had to withdraw as host, the Kansas State High School Activity Association contacted us about taking over the event. Area schools have been delighted with our selection because they came to Iola in 2007 for a regional and 2008 for the SEK meet and both proved to run smoothly and efficiently.
However, when area coaches discovered that Iola will host both of the meets within eight days of each other, their response has been — “Marv, are you nuts?” And I respond by saying, “Hasn’t that always been obvious?”
This will require a lot of volunteers, some with expertise in field events, to be in charge of an event. Their helpers will need less expertise, but plenty of stamina. We will utilize our junior varsity (JV) team members and some middle school track athletes for a lot of the work. If we have the same personnel for the regional as worked the league meet, that would be perfect. However, if you can work only one meet, that would be greatly appreciated.
SEK will be Thursday, May 13, with field events starting at 3:30. On Friday, May 21, the regional field events will begin at 3 o’clock. Contact Marvin Smith 363-4343 (cell) or 365-3080 and leave a message.
Marvin Smith
Iola, Kan.
P.S. Iola will host a JV invitational on Monday. Every effort will be made to conduct that meet using our varsity athletes and coaches. We won’t turn down any volunteers for that meet, but that one is not the biggie — save yourselves for the SEK and regional. If you are not helping run the meet, come and watch. There is no admission charge for the SEK meet, but there will be for the regional.
