High School coaches, College coaches athletes and officials,

                               On June 1-2 , I am holding the 3rd Annual Jack Griffin Mid-Atlantic Prep Track & Field Classic at Callas Stadium in Hagerstown, Md. The meet is named in honor of 3time Womens Olympic Coach Jack Griffin.The meet is USATF sanctioned. The meet is a chance to allow athletes from public and private and different to compete in a Meet of Champions type of atmosphere. The meet holds various events so athletes can compete and allow colleges to see , such as, decathlon,heptathlon,steeplechase,etc. In the past, we have had some of the best participate. In 2010, Jermaine Brown from NY won the 200 and then won the 200 at New Balance Nationals, Emily Kianka from NJ was the #3 female HJ in Indoor Track. In 2011, Michael Wegner of Columbia, Md. set a new record for Boys age 14 in the 5000 meter run, according to Track & Field News.The meet gets coverage from various sites such as, www.dyestat.com, www.runningmaryland.com, www.tristaterunnur.com, possibly www.penntrack.com and various newspapers. Individual state champions will receive free entry into individual events of their choice, not including decathlon or heptathlon. The state champions of cross country, indoor track and outdoor track of the 2011-2012 school year are eligible. Athletes can still qualify for New Balance Nationals or improve their times before the fees are raised for New Balance.The website for this event is www.midatlantictrackclassic.com . Pictures of the track as well as information can be found on the website. Fees are very reasonable at $10 per individual per event, $25 for the Decathlon/Heptathlon and $30 for a relay. Remember, athletes can not wear their school uniforms or sign up as their high school but can be unattached or member of a track club :example- Hagerstown Track Club. We already have commitments from the 2011 West Virginia AAA Boys state champion in the 100 and 200 meter dash as well as a girl who finished 6th in the Emerging Elite Javelin at New Balance Nationals. She also competed at the USATF Junior Olympics and AAU Junior Olympics.  I would ask that you pass the word to all coaches and athletes you know so this can be a Regional Meet of Champions. You can also email me coaches/athletes emails so I can contact them. Virginia and New Jersey coaches can pass the word to athletes not making their state meet .

                        In addition, there is going to be a 10,000 meter track race held Friday June 1 at 9:00 pm with the meet. This 10,000 is open to all ages : high school,college,open and masters. Athletes can run qualifying times for meet such as the Olympic Trials, USATF Junior Nationals and USATF Masters Nationals. If needed, we will run more than 1 heat . There is already some interest from colleges and a couple masters runners.

                         On the morning of June 2, before the meet starts, we will be running the Joe Robeson 5K road race. This event is named for the longtime administrator-teacher of Washington County, 10 time finisher of the JFK 50 Mile and longtime supporter of athletics in Western Maryland, Joe Robeson. The course will start and finish on the track at North Hagerstown High School and run through the scenic streets of the North End. The course is very fast and flat. There will be 300 meters on the track to start and finish with approximately 750 meters on the track. This is a chance for coaches to participate as well.The 5K is open to all ages.It is a Run/Walk.

                          We are also throwing around the idea with holding a youth meet as well as an open/masters meet. This meet with all those ages would be June 3. If you would be interested , let me know so I can decide if we have the meet. It would be the Mid-Atlantic 14 and under/Open/Masters meet. Age group awards would be given. We are also thinking of holding a youth meet on June 30 which would have all kids from 7-18 participating in their respective age groups. If you or anyone you know would be interested in these meets on June 3 and June 30, let me know so I can make the decision whether they are held or not.

                           Registration for the 10,000, Joe Robeson 5K and the Jack Griffin Mid-Atlantic Prep Track & Field Classic can be done on www.runningmaryland.com . If you have any questions, you can contact me at coachwk86@aol.com or 301-739-1366. I look forward to seeing each of you and seeing your athletes participate . I have included the 5K entry form, an information sheet for your athletes, the schedule with qualifying standards ,the records and an officials application.

                                                                                       Thank you for your time,

                                                                                             Wayne Kretzer, Jr.