2008 Golden South Classic

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Prep Division and High School Track & Field Event
Click here to learn more about the Prep Division

Competition draws out the best in each of us. That's why the nation's best high school track and field athletes gather annually in Orlando to compete in the Annual Bert M. Warden's Golden South Classic, presented by adidas.

More than 400 athletes from around the United States, Canada, Bahamas and the Caribbean compete in the Classic, with events ranging from relays to pole vaulting to the shot put. This year's competition had one of the most diverse international fields of athletes in the event's history.

Throughout the event's 31 years, we have seen records broken and college stars born. In fact, Golden South has continued to produce a long list of participants who have gone on to be Olympic stars. Some of the names included in this prestigious group include:

Michelle Finn Burrell, Gwen Torrance, Carlette Guidrey, Anita Howard, Laverne Eve, Monique Henderson, Terrance Harrington, Derek Adkins, Terrance Trammell, Angelo Taylor, Joe Dial, Hollis Conway, James Beckford, Arthur Blake, Walter McCoy, Seilala Sua, Chandra Cheesebrough, Antonio Pettigrew, Antonio McKay, Derrick Brew, Jeremy Warriner, Schowonda Williams and Jearl Miles.

And while the event has traditionally been recognized for the outstanding, elite athlete competition, Golden South is making headlines for opening a new door to a younger group of athletes. In 2007 the Prep Division was introduced as a new feature for the meet. This division was added to allow the opportunity for younger athletes, who may not yet be eligible, to compete in the Classic event without the condition of meeting the qualifying standards.

This initiative encourages younger athletes to pursue high school track and field by introducing them formal competition.

This year's Golden South Classic will provide a unique opportunity for the best young track and field athletes to compete while benefiting the Pediatric Sports Medicine Program at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. The Pediatric Sports Medicine Program enables athletes to do what they love – compete. We are especially proud and excited to be a part of this program which offers preventive instructions, coaching and training for this next generation of athletes.

Online Registration