Team XO, a collective of former University athletes and athletes who train in Oregon, will host the second annual XO Invite at Hayward Field Saturday.
The invite will feature a number of high schools from each of the classifications in the state and will also include elite programs from
the state.
“Team XO has a pretty different view on how track and field should be in the United States, so we wanted to make a track meet that epitomizes that,” XO Invite meet director Ross Krempley said. “We want to really promote and make the athletes feel like stars, kind of like a football game. Also, we wanted to make a carnival, fun atmosphere at a track meet.”
Last year’s inaugural XO Invite and state champion Benson will return to defend its title. Also included in the field is 2003 state champion Sandy High School, as well as 2001 and 2002 state champion Churchill.
The field also includes last year’s 3A boys and 1A boys and girls champs.
“This is the only time you will see many classes of athletes competing at the same time and against each other,” Krempley said. “None of the 1A or 2A athletes get to compete at Hayward, and we saw that as lacking.”
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students. For more information, visit www.xoinvite.com.
— Brian Smith