Rams expect smaller field for track meet
PANAMA CITY — Formerly known as the Ram Relays, the Ram Invitational track and field meet on Saturday also could be scaled down somewhat as far as participation numbers.
Meet director Tony Collier of host Rutherford said that early Spring Break for some schools and concurrent FAMU Relays on Saturday had limited “solid commitments” to seven schools by Wednesday. At least four others could join the field for the meet at Tommy Oliver Stadium that formerly concentrated on relay events.
“We got away from the relays because it was getting hard with the (participation) numbers, we moved to an invitational based on feedback on what people wanted to do,” Collier said.
Also eliminated this year is the middle school element.
Schools in addition to Rutherford are Arnold, Bay, Mosley, Marianna, West Gadsden, Rickards and Fairhope, Ala. Collier said Wewahitchka, Sneads, Suwannee and Port St. Joe also are strong possibilities of competing.
Should Port St. Joe come it could renew an early season rivalry between the perennially strong Tiger Sharks’ girls team and Bay, which has had a solid showing in two meets.
The field for the boys team champion is more wide open, Collier said.
The coaches’ meeting will be held at 9 a.m. with field events starting at 9:30. The first running event is the 4-by-800 relay at 11 a.m. The sprints start with the hurdles at noon.
Some featured individuals and relay events could be the boys 100 with Jamari Hughes and Andre Allen of Arnold, Bay’s 4-by-400 relay and Arnold’s 4-by-800 team.
Admission is $5.
