FREE SPIRITS - A COMMUNITY SUCCESS

While the location changed and we've partnered with the local Police Athletic League, our first all-comers open track meet, commonly known as the Free Spirits, took off where last year's successful Monday night racing series left off.

A crowd of over 150+ athletes, coaches, parents, and spectators merged on the Incarnate Word track for an evening of dynamic and motivating athletic competition this past Monday evening. Police Athletic League's president, John Purnell and the USATF South Texas Association president, David Dunbar welcomed the crowd, eagerly awaiting to perform on many venues. Along with SAPD's Daniel Zamora and Todd Slaughter, USATF South Texas' local officials followed the aggressive Free Spirits track schedule which has been a positive community crowd pleaser in recent years.

In spite of the 90 degree plus Monday night heat, motivated athletes from as young as 2 years old up to 80 years young participated in over 12 different track and field events with competitors being awarded immediate PAL medal recognition after each event.

To some the highlight of the evening was seeing a strong contingent of distance runners - ages 9 to 40 putting in outstanding performances. On the field side, competitors in the jumps and pole vault continued their dominance from recently successful high school track seasons. Above all, the youngest kids were out there - some with their moms and dads holding their hands as they waddled down the track. All competitors had a good time and will most undoubtedly be there in the future to "defend" and showcase their talents.

PAL and the USATF will continue the Free Spirits season next Monday night, June 13th with another track meet at Incarnate Word. Registration will be between 5:15 and 6pm. While we will apply a rolling schedule, we expect the events to kick off around 6:30. The Free Spirits meets will continue through July (minus July 4th) and culminate with a Free Spirits championship on July 18th. Athletes who continually participate in the Free Spirits games will be rewarded with a PAL t-shirt at the championship meeting.

For more details on Free Spirits, please call John Purnell at 826-1888 or Art Rodriguez at 403-3226. If you have time, check out our flyer on the USATF South Texas website -- www.usatfsouthtexas.org