USATF-Montana Association
Cross Country State Championships in Bozeman

For the second year in a row, the USATF-Montana Association is excited to announce that the 2002 USA Track & Field - Montana Cross Country State Championships will again be held in Bozeman, Montana on Saturday, November 2, 2002.

Nestled in the heart of Big Sky Country and situated at the base of the Bridger Mountain Range, the state cross-country championships will again be held on the spectacular site of the Bridger Creek Golf Course. Designed by the host committee and Bozeman Track Club, this year's championships will again offer four exciting courses to challenge the wits and courage of competitors in all seven age divisions. Open to "Junior Olympic", "Open", and "Masters" competitors, ages 10-and-under to 80+ years old, the courses range from 3K, 4K, 5K, and 8K depending on the age division of each participant.

A well kept secret to area runners, the course has rarely experienced the bounding feet of cross-country runners. Last year's gorgeous weather offered a beautiful Indian summer day for both competitors and spectators, and the four courses consisting of groomed grass and cart trails provided an excellent variety in terrain and topography for truly competitive races. All of the courses are noted for such tactical points such as "Perseverance Pond", "Tunnel of Trees", "Prefontane Island", and the infamous "Finger", where athletes are given numerous opportunities to test their tactical wits against their competition. See maps [Medium] [Large]

This year the host club has added to it's treasure chest of medals, awards, trophies, T-shirts, water bottles, and numerous other prizes, the opportunity for the top finalists to win new Addidas sports bag. Available to the two high school age divisions (i.e., "Intermediate" and "Young Men & Women" Divisions), as well as the "Open" and "Masters" Divisions, the Bozeman Track Club will award Addidas sports bag to competitors who break a course record established at last year's cross-country championships.

Don't forget, the top ten finalists and top cross country team in each age division of the Junior Olympic program will qualify for the National Cross Country Championships in Carrollton, Georgia on December 14, 2002. And if your interest is not the Junior Olympic National Championships, high school athletes can use this as an excellent tune-up for the Footlocker Western Region Cross Country Championships. "Open" and "Masters" also have the opportunity to use this competition as a tune-up for possible competition in the USA Fall Cross Country Championships scheduled in Sacramento, California, on December 14, 2002.

Nonetheless, don't hesitate to make arrangements to stay in Bozeman as soon as possible and join us for another outstanding cross-country state championship! Review the information and guidebook provided on the Association's website, and also review the results from last year's races that are listed on the website under "Junior Olympics". If your membership is outdated, you should complete a USATF membership application as soon as possible and immediately mail it to the state office in Kalispell. Don't forget to send a proof of age or birth certificate with you membership application. And most of all, get your entry form in early to the Meet Director.

Hope to see all of you in Bozeman in November and good luck with the rest of your cross-country season!

Respectfully,

Dave Skelton
Youth Athletics Chair
USATF-Montana Association, Inc.

(By Dave Skelton, September 27, 2002)