Dear Coaches,

 

We look forward to your team attending the Scott Ford Mercury - Border Clash Relays on Friday, March 28th.   The Border Clash is a relays format meet that will have high schools that border Preston County (or border a "Border County") competing against each other.  Field events will be contested with the top three individual efforts added together for a team total.   Below is a schedule of events for the Border Clash Relays:

 

4:30 p.m.                 - Field Events and the 4 x 1600 Relay (girls followed by boys)

5:30 p.m.                 - Shuttle Hurdle Relay (4 x 102.5 m. for girls and 4 x 110 m. for boys)

                                - 4 x 200 Relay

                                - 4 x 800 Relay

                                - Sprint Medley (100, 100, 200, 400)

                                - 4 x 300 Hurdle Relay (*New Event for 2008)

                                - Distance Medley (1200, 400, 800, 1600)

                                - 4 x 100 Relay

                                - Throwers 4 x 100 Relay (this will be a non-scored event)

                                - 4 x 400 Relay

 

NOTE:  Please do not arrive at Preston High before 3:30 p.m.  Our campus is very congested until the buses depart.  Athletes will not be able to gain access to the interior of the school (dressing rooms, auxiliary gym, etc.) until after 3:30 p.m. 

 

The first rotation for field events will be as follows:   Boys Shot, Girls Discus, Girls Pole Vault, Boys Long Jump, and Girls High Jump.  The second rotation will be on a rolling schedule. 

 

Opening heights for the pole vault will be 6'0" for girls and 7"6" for the boys.   Opening heights in the high jump will be 4'2" for the girls and 5'0" for the boys.  In an effort to draw more attention to the field events, the top five athletes from the preliminaries of the shot put, discus, and long jump will be announced over the PA system and will be the focus of the meet until their event concludes.   The best overall throw or jump will be used for scoring purposes.  An effort will also be made to recognize the top high jumpers and pole vaulters as their events near completion.  

 

In the 4 x 300 Hurdle Relay, the finish line judge will announce over the loudspeaker the lane number of each finishing hurdler.  Once an athlete's lane number is announced, they will begin their leg of the relay.  The start of each leg will be monitored by an exchange judge.  Coaches will be permitted to stand behind the outgoing runner to provide verbal cues. 

 

Medals will be awarded to the top team in each event (including the Throwers 4 x 100).   These athletes will be recognized beside the timing stand immediately after the completion of each event.  The Border Clash Cup will be awarded to the top overall school (boys and girls team scores will be added together).   Results will be posted on the back of the track building. 

 

Scheduled to attend the Scott Ford Mercury Border Clash Relays are the following schools:

 

  • Buckhannon Upshur Buccaneers (boys only)
  • East Fairmont Bees
  • Fairmont Senior Polar Bears
  • North Marion Huskies
  • Philip Barbour Colts
  • Preston Black Knights
  • Preston Silver Knights
  • Southern Garrett Rams (MD)
  • Tucker County Mountain Lions
  • University Hawks


Since we have more than eight schools competing, we will have openings for additional relay teams in most events.  Once all entries are submitted on Wednesday, March 26th, we will announce how many positions we have available.  These slots will be filled on a "first come - first serve" basis.  These extra relay teams will not be included in team scoring.    
 
Because athletes will not be running individual events, we understand that each school may be able to put together stronger than normal relay squads.   In addition, we will also be contesting non-traditional events like the 4 x 1600, Sprint Medley, and Distance Medley.  As a result of these two factors, we are asking each coach to be responsible when entering seed times for your relay teams.   Please try to list times that "fit" the personnel of your squad. 
 
Entries for the Scott Ford Border Clash Relays must be sent electronically.  Our preferred method is www.athletic.net .  If you don't already have a free account, click on this link to sign up:  http://www.Athletic.net/Wizard/Default.aspx?Reg=T413087 . When using athletic.net, you simply indicate which athletes will be running in each relay or field event.  There is no need to email any entries to us.  Entries are simply stored on the site. 
 
SPECIAL NOTE:  The "Throwers 4 x 100 Relay", is not listed as a separate event.  Simply designate your athletes under the traditional 4 x 100 as your "C-Team."
 
You may also use Hy-Tek's Team Manager Lite for our meet.  If you don't already have a copy of Team Manager Lite, you can download a copy from our website   (www.PrestonRun.com ) under "Meet Entry Information".   The "Border Clash Relays" event file and complete instructions on how to use Team Manager Lite are also located under the "Meet Entry Information" link.  
 
Because this is a relays style meet, you may designate up to eight athletes for each running relay.  On the day of the meet, you will select four athletes from your "relay pool".   Relays will be verified by using "relay cards".  The only additions that will be made on Friday will be those in the field events.   All team entries are to be completed on www.athletic.net or emailed to Coach Martin at prestonrun@gmail.com by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26th. 
 

Please remind your athletes and parents that we have limited bleacher seating.  The best option is to bring lawn chairs and set up tents "cross country" style.  We will have our auxiliary gym available for warm-ups / stretching.  A full concession stand will be open and "Border Clash Relays" t-shirts will be available for purchase.  Admission to the Border Clash Relays is $4.00 for adults and $3.00 for students.
 
Discus throwers and high jumpers are the only athletes that are permitted on the interior of the track.   Discus throwers are to access the ring through the far gate on the baseball side of the track.  High jumpers are to cross the track near the bullpen.   Athletes that do not abide by this rule will be disqualified.  In addition, any athlete seen jumping the fence will be disqualified.  Athletic tape is not to be used as a marker for any running or field event.  The maximum spike length is 3/16". 
 
We hope you and your team have a great time at the Scott Ford Mercury – Border Clash Relays.   We strive to host events that are competitive, exciting, and efficient. 
 
Preston Track & Field Coaching Staff