Gilroy High’s Avis Kelley Invitational returns to old glory
Gilroy – In its heyday in the early ’80s, the Avis Kelley Invitational was one of the biggest track and field meets in California.
Fast-forward to 2005, the meet didn’t exist at all.
But a new track at GHS – and a rejuvenated track and field program – has enabled the Avis Kelley to return to glory. The 36th edition of the meet begins at 9am today at Gilroy High.
More than 20 years ago, the Avis Kelley (named after the former Gilroy track and field coach who brought the Mustangs much success in that era) drew 60 schools from all over the Golden State.
Those were the days when Gilroy High’s track was considered state-of-the art. At the time, Gilroy head coach Jeff Myers was competing for the Mustangs, not coaching them.
“The main difference between now and then is … not too many (schools) had all-weather tracks,” said Myers, in his first year as Gilroy’s head coach. “So when you had the chance to run on a fast track, you did.”
But then all-weather tracks started popping up on most high school campuses, spawning more and more competitive meets. And as the old Gilroy track deteriorated, so did the invitational.
The Avis Kelley has had a rough five years because of poor track conditions. Last year, it wasn’t held at all. Over the past few years when Gilroy has hosted the meet, the field was small.
But Gilroy High’s new track has breathed new life into the track and field program – and from what Myers and Gilroy athletic director Jack Daley anticipate – today’s Avis Kelley Invitational also.
“I think last time we had it we had maybe 15 schools at the most,” Daley said. “It was not at all the full-blown event that hopefully will take place (today).”
Twenty-seven schools will compete today.
“We’re excited because we have a lot of interesting schools coming. It’s just fun to have the meet back at Gilroy again,” Myers said. “We just want to put on a good meet and bring the Avis Kelley meet back.”
The Hot List: Events To Watch
Boys’ Discus and Shot Put
Three competitors, Bellarmine’s Steve Powell and Andrew Estko and Gilroy’s own Bobby Best (headed to Cal Poly in the fall) have recorded throws this year over 150 feet. The three are top throwers in the Central Coast Section.
Boys’ 800 meters
Mike Palmtag of North Monterey County and the Bellarmine duo of Justin Phan and Eric Baun come into the meet with sub-two minute times.
Girls’ 400 meters
A field of five runners, led by Santa Cruz’s Nataliya Munishina (58.8), will all be neck-and-neck at the finish line.
Girls’ High Jump
Notre Dame’s Leah Parsons 5-6 mark this season is among the best in the CCS. Gilroy’s Megan McAvoy is the No. 2 seed.
Girls’ 1600 meters
It will take a lot to challenge the seeding time of 5:08 from Enterprise’s Lindsey Kirschman. The next-fastest time is 5:34.
Order of Events
Running Events
Trials – 9am
Girls’ lOOm hurdles
Boys’ 110m hurdles
300m hurdles
200m
Finals (Begin 30 minutes after end of trials)
Boys’ 3200m (Frosh/Soph)
4X100m relay
100 hurdles
800m
100m
400m
3200m
300m hurdles
200m
1600m
4X400
Field Events
Rotation 1 – 9am
Boys’ Long Jump (F/S)
Girls’ Triple Jump (V)
Boys’ Shot Put (V)
Girls’ Discus (V)
Boys’ High Jump (V)
Girls’ Pole Vault (V)
Rotation 2 – 11:30am
Girls’ Long Jump (V)
Boys’ Triple Jump (V)
Boys’ Shot Put (F/S)
Boys’ Discus (V)
Boys’ High Jump (F/S)
Boys’ Pole Vault (V)
Rotation 3 – 2pm
Boys’ Long Jump (V)
Boys’ Triple Jump (F/S)
Girls’ Shot Put (V)
Boys’ Discus (F/S)
Girls’ High Jump (V)
Boys’ Pole Vault (F/S)
Participating Schools
Alisal, Archbishop Mitty, Bellarmine, Castlemont, Central (Fresno), Enterprise (Redding), Gilroy, Greenfield, Hayward, King City, Live Oak, Monterey, Mount Diablo, Mountain View, North Monterey County, Notre Dame-Salinas, Oak Grove, Oakland Tech, Pacific Grove, Palma, Salinas, Santa Cruz, Santa Teresa, Seaside, Sobrato, Overfelt, Wilcox
Top Teams to Watch
Bellarmine, Central, Enterprise, North Monterey County and Salinas
