Great Southwest Classic
Part 1

by Donna Dye

The Great Southwest Track and Field Classic takes place in the Grand Canyon State, in Tempe, Arizona, on the campus of Arizona State University. Picture Disc 3 -15. What a great place for track athletes-to dream the dream of a college track career. But how do they do it in this heat, I thought? As an easterner now from Maryland and formerly from Detroit and Chicago, I marvel at how these kids perform in the middle of the desert. Some told me while it is hot here, it is a "dry" heat! Others told me it helps when you're born here. Drinking lots of water is a must. Starting the meet at 4:30p.m. also helps. Well, O.K. but somehow my face got sunburned in late afternoon even though I wore a 48 rated sunscreen! My hat is off to all of them.

Track fans have a different kind of thirst anyway

THE SCENERY

I have a love for gardening so I'm always looking at flora wherever I go. Tempe provided lots to look at: Banyon, Olive and Palm trees line streets and pools. Disc 3-9 Home front gardens can be grass (must be transplanted easterners) or stones and pebbles dotted with specimen plantings of yucca, Agave, and others things I couldn't identify.  All along the freeways, cactus stand tall! But the best of the vegetation for me were the bougainvillea that was plentiful.  Desert yes! But there is plenty of color and beauty:

Yucca, stone & cactus garden

All cactus

Bougainvillea

THE SCENE

Meet day was a clear and beautiful day with a high temperature of 103 and a low of 78.

The track facility at Sun Angel Stadium is first rate

Shaved ice stand is popular aid to keeping cool

PARENTS & FANS

Dotsy Tierny and friends came to watch and cheer on Robin Tierny. Robin, a junior from Cibola High, Yuma AZ, helped Arizona win the 4x800. Her split was 2.16. Robin is a poised young lady. Good Luck to you next year.

The Lispeth Nutt Family. Lispeth, a junior from North Canyon AZ finished 8^th in the 3200.

Candy and Robert Argo, from Nevada. Candy proudly wears Tracy Argo's Triple Jump Gold Medal. After all, parents play a part too! These are delightful people who take being track parents seriously. Candy patrols the sidelines to watch for tips to pass on to Tracy.

Great Southwest Classic
Part 2

by Donna Dye

Track fans come young and older:

The Young - A budding track star develops stretching techniques as he watches his sister Amy Menlove. Amy, a freshman from Utah, finished 6^th in the long jump with 17-2.25.

The Older - Almost 91, a great grandfather watches his great grandson, Jason Cage, a junior from Colorado, in the Discus Throw, Shot Put and Javelin Throw. Jason's best finish was in the Javelin Throw at 6^th with a throw of 170.3. Jason's great grandfather seems like a spirited man who was having fun on the sidelines.

BUDDING TRACK STARS

Shamara Smith and Tennille Mayfield (right) are 8^th graders who participate in the 100 and 4x100. (The Great Southwest includes some events for pre high school athletes.) High School anxiously awaits them. Check out Tennille's sparkling eye lashes!

Officials and VIP's

The officials and VIPs of the Great Southwest deserve mention.

Jim Poquette in his trademark red sports coat and tie. "On your mark!" For his service and commitment to improving the sport for young athletes, Jim Poquette was selected as an honorary referee. Jim has been a long time track supporter, official, and fan since moving to the Valley of the Sun from Michigan.

Clyde Volz, Meet Chairman, gives Larry Lienemann (right) a plaque recognizing his service and commitment to improving the lives of young students and athletes.

Stacy Dragila, US Women's Pole Vault Champion awarded medals and provided inspiration to women pole vaulters. Stacy stopped by the Great Southwest after setting a world- record in pole vault the day before at the Sky Harbor Invitational when she vaulted 15 feet 1 and � inches. Up to then she shared a record of 15 feet 1 and � inches with Emma George of Australia. Now, Stacy is the favorite at the Sydney Games to win the first Olympic gold medal in the women's pole vault

Special Guests are introduced to the crowd: Chris Lester, National Scholastic Sports Foundation; Tom Lingel, Golden West Invitational; and our very own John Dye, publisher of DyeStat.

MEET ADMINISTRATORS

Meet Chairman Clyde Volz and Daughter, Kellie Siegel.

Nourishment for the Officials. Shelley Rosas, Publicity/Sponsor Chairman, (yellow shirt) helps with everything.