Changes to the 2014 All-Metro Cross Country Banquet and Awards Selection Process
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media Contact:
Michelle Lawrence
404-231-9064 x 28
mlawrence@atlantatrackclub.org
Atlanta Track Club to Name 42 High School Athletes to All-Metro Teams
All-Metro Banquet to feature fastest American Marathoner in U.S. History, Ryan Hall
ATLANTA – October 16, 2014 – Founded 50 years ago around the mission of honoring outstanding high school cross country and track & field athletes, Atlanta Track Club, is making enhancements to the All-Metro High School Cross Country Banquet as well as its awards selection process. As the organization moves into its next 50 years, it is recommitting itself to honoring the metro area’s top high school standouts in an exciting, new way.
This fall, Atlanta Track Club will select 42 deserving scholastic student-athletes, 21 boys and 21 girls, to be named to the First, Second or Third All-Metro Cross Country Teams. The 42 honorees will be chosen based on an updated, calculated, ranking system and then coaches, parents, media and the general public will be given the opportunity to vote for the athletes, determining their place on one of the three teams.
“As we approach the end of our 50th year, we are renewing our commitment to recognizing top Metro area high school cross country boys and girls. This includes an objective new ranking system, enhanced input from coaches and fans alike, scholarship awards and even an exciting new banquet venue,” said Rich Kenah, executive director of Atlanta Track Club. “We look forward to celebrating the season’s top performances with the region’s top athletes, families and friends in Downtown Atlanta.”
Immediately following the Georgia High School State Cross Country Meet in early November, 42 All-Metro athletes will be selected based on feedback from coaches, past committee members and criteria including; major meet wins, performance at the state meet and a complete season overview. The names and bios of these athletes will be posted at atlantatrackclub.org and https://ga.milesplit.com . Once announced, coaches and the community can go online and rank the selected athletes among the three teams.
Each of the All-Metro athletes will be recognized for their extraordinary seasons at the All-Metro Banquet and First Team All-Metro honorees will receive a $500 scholarship from Atlanta Track Club. The 2014 All-Metro High School Cross Country Banquet will be held on December 3, at the new College Football Hall of Fame in Downtown Atlanta. This year’s banquet will feature an inspiring keynote speaker, the fastest marathoner in U.S. History, Ryan Hall. Hall will speak to the young athletes about his experiences running in high school, college and at the Olympics.
"As a kid, I always looked up to sports figures, I wanted to know everything about them," said Ryan Hall, fastest marathoner in U.S. History. "I'm now fortunate to be able to share my professional running journey with the young athletes at Atlanta Track Club's All-Metro High School Cross Country Banquet."
Family, coaches and friends are invited to join the All-Metro honorees at the 2014 All-Metro High School Cross Country Banquet for an evening of celebration. More information on the banquet will be available at atlantatrackclub.org in early November.
About Atlanta Track Club
Atlanta Track Club is a nonprofit committed to creating an active and healthy Atlanta. Through running and walking, Atlanta Track Club motivates, inspires and engages the community to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. With more than 21,000 members, Atlanta Track Club is the second largest running organization in the United States. In addition to the AJC Peachtree Road Race (peachtreeroadrace.org) – the largest 10K running event in the world and the Atlanta Half Marathon and Thanksgiving Day 5K (atlantahalfmarathon.org), Atlanta Track Club directs more than 30 events per year. Through the support of its members and volunteers, Atlanta Track Club also maintains a number of community initiatives including organizing and promoting the Kilometer Kids youth running program to metro Atlanta youth, honoring high school cross country and track and field athletes through Atlanta Track Club’s All-Metro Banquets and supporting the Grady Bicycle EMT program. For more information on Atlanta Track Club, visit atlantatrackclub.org.