The annual Graves/Swayze Relays on Friday at Midland Community Stadium provided a sort of warm-up for a couple of big track and field events that Midland High will be hosting at the same facility late next month: a Division 1 regional meet and the Saginaw Talliga Championship.
On Friday, May 20, 15 girls’ and boys’ teams from Midland schools will converge on Davison, Alpena and Traverse City, with athletes competing for a chance to advance to the June 4 state meeting in Rockford High School.
And just four days later, on Tuesday May 24, many of those schools – 10 in all – will be taking part in the SVL Championship at Midland Community Stadium.
Viewers can expect some great races and plenty of personal bests as athletes strive for their best results of the season to this point.
“We’re very excited,” said Andrew Plude, Midland boys’ athletics coach, of hosting the regional and conference meetings.
Diane Sugnet, the Plude and Midland girls’ career coach, both said Graves/Swayze, which has seven schools, is a good opportunity for the facility to host the two larger gatherings later in the spring.
“It was a good test,” said Sugnet. “Our volunteers did a great job. It’s really a team and parent effort (to put on a big track meet). And we are very excited to be hosting the Regionals and Valleys.
“Thanks to all the volunteers,” she added, from the many community members who helped run Graves/Swayze, from those who set up and took down the hurdles to the people who worked in the press box and many others .
Many volunteers are needed again for the meetings on May 20th and 24th.
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