Abilene Wins Big with the USATF JO Region 12 Track and Field Championships

FOR RELEASE

Date: July 6, 2015

Contact: Trish Dressen, 325-665-1527,

Debi Schultz, 325-676-2556,

Toni Nichols, 214-803-9633,

Abilene Wins Big with the USATF JO Region 12 Track and Field Championships

ABILENE, TX – Abilene will play host to the best of the best in USA Track & Field athletes in the state of Texas July 7-11. The USA Track and Field Junior Olympic Region XII Qualifier will be held at McMurry University and will include athletes ages 8 – 18. During the five day meet over 2,500 athletes are expected to compete in all track and field events.

Due to rain delays, events kicked off today and a full, re-worked schedule can be found here:

Opening ceremonies will begin July 8th at 6 p.m. complete with a celebratory parade, The Dyess Color Guard and speakers including the Mayor and McMurry University Athletic Director, Sam Ferguson.

Teams will be represented from the following USATF Region 12 Associations: USATF Gulf Association, USATF South Texas Association, USATF Southwestern Association and the USATF West Texas Association.

Numerous college scouts and coaches are expected to watch this meet in search of possible track members for their teams. In anticipation of these scouts Region XII puts together performance packets for high school athletes that will be juniors, seniors and for students that have just graduated from high school. USA Track and Field has proven to be a great training ground for college and professional athletes.

The Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau anticipate this event will draw at least 3,500 out of town people during the five day track meet; generating over 2,000 room nights and an estimated $1,570,800 will be pumped into the Abilene economy from our out of town guests.

“We are thrilled to host the USATF JO Region XII qualifier,” Debi Schultz, Sales Director for the ACVB, said. “Hosting such a prestigious event is a daunting task and we are so thankful for McMurry University for really stepping up to make this a reality. Abilene will be tremendously impacted because of this event and we are so grateful to have the opportunity.”

The public is invited to attend and watch these tremendous athletes in action. Cost is $7 per day or $25 for the full week of events. Children 3 and under get in free.

Interviews and live updates will be provided by MileSplit TX and can be found at

Race Schedule:

To see the complete teams list, go to .

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