Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Athletic Superintendent Thomas Laird said he expects between 60 to 100 kids ranging between the ages of 9 to 14 to take part in the event. Most of them will come from the Rutherford County area, but also Williamson and Wilson County will take part. Since April, Laird has conducted practices every Monday night for the members of the MTF (Murfreesboro Track and Field) at the same location. However, all of them will not be at Saturday’s event because of other commitments.

“Practice has gone really well this season,” Laird said. “We had really good participation and the kids have worked really hard.”

Most of the practices have focused on the running events, especially working on the starts in the shorter races. They also spent an entire practice on concentrating on the two field events, the Standing Long Jump and the Softball Throw.

Another factor that the kids have dealt with is the changing temperatures during practice. The colder temperatures have helped athletes this week, but it will be warmer this weekend according to the early forecasts.

“We feel that they have been conditioned ands educated on how to deal with warmer weather and hopefully it will not be a factor on Saturday,” Laird said.

Laird mentioned that all of the kids should have the same goal in mind during the competition.

“Everyone is encouraged to do their best,” he said. “Beating your personal best is always a goal of track participates and we emphasized it this year. Regardless of the outcome, if you do your best then you are a winner.”

At the same time, berths are on the line for the district and state meets that will each take place in June at Riverdale. First and second place finishers from each event on Saturday advance to the district meet. Those winners of each event at the district, then move to the state meet. Then, they have a chance to head to Pennsylvania for the North American Final in August.

Last year, the area sent three to that meet at the company headquarters, Whitney Tesi, Donovan Harkins and Connor Wilson. However, only one of those will return to make a run at another appearance. Tesi is no longer eligible to compete since she is past the age limit, while Wilson is focusing on soccer and is taking a break from the sport.  Harkins finished 11^th in the 800 meter run in the 11-12 age division at the 2010 North American Final and will be back on Saturday.

Laird also said watch out for former state champion Garret Coleman in the 400 and 800 meter events. “There are several others to watch for, so it should be an exciting meet.”