Roughly 1,500 track and field athletes representing 12 junior high and middle schools or competing independently came together at Pitman High School on Saturday for the second installment of what is becoming a premier event in the region, the Almond Blossom Invitational, sponsored by Grizzly Nut Co.
“This was quite possibly the largest outdoor sporting event this school has ever hosted,” said Pitman track and field head coach Tim McCabe.
With about just as many spectators, athletes were able to capitalize on dry, windless and sunny conditions to give, literally, the best performances they could.
Medals were given out for all those that placed first through sixth, and by the end of the day, not only were approximately 350 medals awarded, there were almost 1,000 seasonal or personal best marks, as tracked by automated timing systems and logged by the Athletic.net program.
“Most junior highs don’t have the ability to utilize an all-weather track with automated timing systems,” explained McCabe. “What we offer and having this meet early in the season is all of the visiting athletes get a chance to compete rain or shine, get an official time, have access to this wonderful facility at Pitman, and with this event being held on a Saturday, moms and dads siblings and grandparents can all come watch.”
Aaron King, Pitman throws coach and co-director of the meet, also praised Mike Staack for the sponsorship.
“Without Mike Staack’s involvement with Grizzly Nut Co. we’re not able to have the resources to go out and get custom medals for all these great athletes,” King said.
“Well, we (Grizzly Nut Co.) just want to give back to this community, specifically what this PHS track program is doing here in paying it forward and in helping these young people,” said Staack, who also serves as president of the Kiwanis of Greater Turlock. “We love it and we love being a part of it.”
Represented were area programs: Turlock Junior High, Dutcher Middle, Turlock Christian, Spratling Middle and Hilmar Middle. Others that came to compete included Wilson of Chowchilla, Weaver Middle, Creekside and Yolo.
“We have a pretty impressive coaching staff,” McCabe said. “Last night, these guys all showed up in Oakdale for our high school team where the boys team outscored everyone else in the County Clash, then turned around and showed up here in the five-o-clock hour to get things ready.”
“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Staack said of the final product. “Truly a blessing to be a part of this event and to help it happen; really, really special.”
