High School, Collegiate Track Championships Take Fast Track to AL

Sprint to the Alabama Gulf Coast to see rising stars and college athletes in action at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex for three major track events in April and May 2014. The Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission (GSOBSC), along with the City of Gulf Shores and sponsors, invites track fans to experience a whole different state of play during the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC), Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) track championships.

 “Track is an exhilarating component of the diversity of athletic events held in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach,” Beth Gendler, vice president of the GSOBSC, said. “We encourage locals and beachgoers to head to the sportsplex to cheer on college athletes with the SSAC and NAIA as well as high school athletes from all over Alabama in April and May.”  

Gendler expressed the destination’s sporting efforts begin on the front lines, relying on local support and excitement for each event, and track is no exception. The following track events are three of close to 100 events facilitated by the GSOBSC slated throughout 2014.

Race to the sportsplex for the SSAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships from April 25-26. The SSAC is comprised of schools and universities in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee and is an NAIA division I conference. Admission is $5 per day and free for children 5 years and younger. Visit www.ssacsports.com for more information.

Then, more than 1,500 high school athletes from across the state are set to compete at the sportsplex from May 2-3 in 17 events at the AHSSA State Track Championship for boys and girls. The cost for this event is $10 per day and $3 for parking. For more information, visit www.ahsaa.com.

Keep the momentum going by attending the 2014 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships from May 22-24 at the sportsplex. Individual qualifiers from NAIA schools will compete in various events from runs and relays to pole vaults and hammer throws. In 2013, the NAIA announced that the GSOBSC and the City of Gulf Shores were granted the opportunity to host this event through 2015. Three-day passes are $20, and daily passes are $8. Jump to www.naia.org for complete details.

For information on upcoming athletic events along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, visit www.gulfshoresorangebeachsports.com, or call 1-800-745-SAND.