Arcadia Invitational
The Arcadia Invitational is a high school track and field meet in the United States. It is considered the most competitive meet in the country and has been billed as the "Home of National Records".[1] The meet is held at Arcadia High School in Arcadia, California, on either the first or second weekend in April each year. The Arcadia Invitational attracts the top prep athletes in the United States and internationally (Canada, Mexico, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Argentina, and Brazil have been represented in recent years). The Arcadia Invitational has played host to 32 national high school records and has helped to produce 179 U.S. Olympians.[2]
History
In 1968, Arcadia High School track coach Doug Smith had an idea for an evening track and field meet for all the area schools.[2] The first invitational was held more than 50 years ago, with 23 schools and six track clubs participating. Arcadia graduate Tracy Smith was the first of many future Olympic athletes to be a winner in the Arcadia Invitational. He went on to participate in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.[3][2] 1970 is the year that Doug Smith felt was a giant step in the development of the meet into more of a "Southern California" event. Santa Ana Coach Earl Engman, who was the Meet Director of the CIF-Southern Section championship affairs, entered his championship squad from Orange County, enhancing the event with the members of his top program from the greater San Gabriel Valley.[4]
The invitational has since gone on to produce 32 U.S. high school records and 179 U.S. Olympians up to and including the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials.[5]
In 2002, the meet expanded from a single-day competition to a two-day affair as the newly formed Friday portion consisted of additional relays (sprint medleys, shuttle hurdles, 4x800, etc.) not common at most meets. In 2004, another (third) section of field events competition also was added to the Friday schedule.
In 2008, the Arcadia Multis were added on the Thursday-Friday of meet week, allowing top decathletes and heptathletes the chance to compete. It has become the premier multi-events competition for high schoolers, with both national decathlon records (high school implements and international implements) for boys achieved there. In 2010, the deepest quality field of high school heptathletes was featured.
The Arcadia Invitational is now among the largest outdoor high school meets in the United States, with more than 4,000 high school athletes competing. In terms of participation numbers, it is also the largest high school sporting event in the nation that is hosted on a high school campus.[6]
3200 meters
Amongst all the high-quality performers featured annually, the boys' 3200-meter event has become a signature event for inspiring top performances. The competitive environment and ideal weather allows many elite male athletes to break the 9-minute barrier for the first time. At the 2017 meet, an unprecedented 27 athletes broke 9 minutes (25 in the invitational section and 2 in the seeded section).[7]
Notable athletes
Meet records
Boys
Girls
References
- ^ "Nellum, Hasay and Richardson highlight Arcadia Invitational". iaaf.org. 2007-04-09. Archived from the original on 2008-04-30. Retrieved 2010-12-28.
- ^ a b c "ArcadiaInvitational.org – Arcadia Invite Official Site". Runnerspace.com. Retrieved 2010-12-28.
- ^ Tracy Smith at Sports Reference
- ^ "ArcadiaInvitational.org – Arcadia Invite Official Site". Runnerspace.com. Retrieved 2010-12-28.
- ^ "Arcadia Invitational – DyeStat high school track and field". Tx.dyestat.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2010-12-28.
- ^ "New Zealander Notes- DevinePreview : CA Arcadia Invitational : 2008 Outdoor Track : DyeStat US: News about High School Track, Field, and Cross Country | DyeStatCal". Archive.dyestatcal.com. Retrieved 2010-12-28.
- ^ "2017 ArcadiaInvitational.org - Arcadia Invitational - info/results - 04/07/17". www.arcadiainvitational.org. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ Landon Negri (9 April 2023). "Simeon Birnbaum, Irene Riggs Lead Historically Deep 3,200 Showcase at Arcadia Invitational". arcadiainvitational.org. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "2022 Arcadia Invitational Results". arcadiainvitational.org. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "2022 Arcadia Invitational Results". arcadiainvitational.org. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "2022 Arcadia Invitational Results". arcadiainvitational.org. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "2022 Arcadia Invitational Results". arcadiainvitational.org. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ Joe Curley. "Records fall after Ventura High freshman Engelhardt runs mile at Arcadia Invitational". eu.vcstar.com. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ Landon Negri (9 April 2023). "Simeon Birnbaum, Irene Riggs Lead Historically Deep 3,200 Showcase at Arcadia Invitational". arcadiainvitational.org. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "300m Hurdles Results". rtspt.com. 8 April 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
- ^ Erik Boal (9 April 2023). "Hana Moll Gets Her 15 Feet of Fame at Arcadia Invitational, Joins Sister Amanda Moll as National High School Record Holder". arcadiainvitational.org. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "2022 Arcadia Invitational Results". arcadiainvitational.org. Retrieved 17 April 2023.