Replacement meet in Florida coming Sept. 22: Hurricane Irma Invitational

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Dusty Smith, the Florida race organizer who lost his 70-team Horse Park Invitational last weekend due to the state-wide hurricane distaster, was cooking up something new Wednesday.

The University of Florida announced that it was cancelling the high school portion (and perhaps all) of its Sept. 23 cross country meet. Coaches in the Gainesville area asked Smith of BR3 Sports if he could put together a meet that same weekend so the schools that booked hotel rooms would have a chance to race. 

Smith found a usable spot in the town of Newberry, Fla. and quickly put together a meet that will take place the 22nd. He secured the venue, the timing company, ordered portable toilets and put together an information guide to send to coaches. 

"I only felt it was fitting to call this potentially one-time venue and event the Hurricane Irma XC Invitational," Smith said in an e-mail.

In a state still reeling from storm damage and massive power outages, the "Irma" meet will pull high school cross country teams together and get them on their feet again.