Set for this Friday is the Rotary Club of St. Joseph-Benton Harbor’s annual Rotary Track Meet at St. Joseph High School. The Rotary’s Randy Bettich tells WSJM News the event started in 1958 and was limited last year due to COVID. This year, it’s back with 15 schools taking part.
“Even the small schools are able to compete against the large schools,” Bettich said. “Usually, in track meets in the area, you have conference opponents that meet against each other. They’re usually about the same size schools, but in this you’ll have Lake Michigan Catholic being able to go up against Niles or Lakeshore. It’s unique in that regard.”
Bettich says it’s electrifying to see the energy of the young runners on display. The Rotary Track Meet Scholarship was added to the event in 1977 to help track athletes with funding their college education. In the 40+ years of the track scholarship, more than 125 seniors have been awarded the education grants. This year, there will be three $2,000 scholarships awarded. Nearly all of the Berrien County school districts will be represented. Bettich says the public is invited to attend. The cost for admission is $5 for adults and $2 for students. It starts at 4:30 p.m. with the finals at 6 p.m.
