Eligibility: The Great Southwest Classic is open to the top graduating seniors and underclassmen who have completed the season with his/her high school team in good standing, upon recommendation of state advisory chairmen and approval by the state's interscholastic governing body. The Great Southwest Classic is a USAT&F sanctioned competition.
Registration: Athletes Invited to the Great Southwest Classic can sign up online. They must also register for the meet when they come to Albuquerque in June. Registration is held at the:
MCM Elegante Hotel
2020 Menaul Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Track Location: The Great Friends of UNM Track & Field Stadium extend the use of their facilities located on UNM's South Campus and welcomes Great Southwest Classic athletes. The track consists of an 8 lane (48") all-weather surface. Inside the Track, a natural grass surface has multiple jump and throw areas. The UNM track stadium seats 6,000 and faces the spectacular Sandia Mountain range. Nearly perfect training and racing conditions may be expected with May temperatures ranging from day highs of 80 degrees to average evening lows of 49 with a relative humidity of 32%. Albuquerque's mile-high elevation, abundant sunshine, create an exhilarating outdoor venue for spirited competition in UNM's world class facilities.
Awards: Medals are presented to the top 6 finishers in each individual event, and to the top 6 relay teams. Trophies are presented to the top boy and girl track and field performers, and the top boy and girl meet performers. The Marilyn Sepulveda Memorial Trophy is awarded to the outstanding distance performance. The Robert Johns Memorial Trophy is awarded to the outstanding throws performance. The Dan Dehart and Steve Bakas Memorial Trophies will be awarded to the boys and girls teams.
Special Features: Each athlete will receive their state meet jersey upon check-in at the MCM Elegante Hotel (please provide your own shorts). Opening ceremonies will include a parade of athletes from each of the participating southwestern states. Each athlete will be introduced before competition. Souvenir T-shirts, shorts, hats, and other items will be available also.
**FRIDAY- 9:OO PM - MANDATORY COACHES' SCRATCH MEETING**
Room, Meals, Travel Information: Travel, room, and meals are the responsibility of the athlete. Rooms and meals will be available at the official meet headquarters, the five hotels listed below. The hotels are located in the proximity of the UNM Track & Field facilities. Southwest Classic Association adults have volunteered to stay at these hotels as advisors and/or supervisors.
Supervison of the athletes at the hotel will be provided by the Southwest Classic Association.
Travel to and from Hotels to Meet:Transportation to and from the Albuquerque International Airport to the hotel will be provided by Los Altos Kiwanis Club. Vans will be identified with signs. To ensure that a van will be available to take you to your hotel, fill out all information requested in the travel information form included in your packet, and return as soon as your travel arrangements are final.
