Shakamak's Casey Fougerousse and Linton-Stockton's Bre Alsman ran their leg in the 3,200 relay Friday at the Tri-River Conference meet at Roy Williams Field. (By Travis David/Greene County Daily World).

The stands at high school football fields may not be packed on Friday nights during the spring like they are on Friday nights during the fall, but don't let that determine whether you make it through the gates or not. Track and field meets can be just as entertaining as some football games.

Often times I have heard statements, like "who wants to sit around and watch kids run in a circle?" Well first of all, its not a circle -- its an oval -- and most of your bigger and conference meets get pretty intense and exciting.

I may be a little bias as I ran track as well, but I challenge those of you that have not made it out to a meet. You have a perfect opportunity to come out to Roy Williams Field this Friday as the Southwestern Indiana Athletic Conference meet will take place. Last week, the home track of the Miners hosted the Tri-River Conference Meet and also the Greene County Meet.

Little bit of advice for those newcomers that may take me up on my challenge. If you think track is not your "cup of tea" in the early parts, please stick around and make sure you watch the very last event of the meet -- 1,600 relay race. In my opinion, this is the most exciting race of the 16-event field.

Maybe it's because it's the final event of the meet and close meets will be decided on this race, just as this year's Greene County and last year's SWIAC meet came down to in the boys. Or maybe because it's usually under the lights. But whatever the reason may be, it still gives me goose bumps watching this race, even as an unbiased sports writer. And I also feel, that if this was the first event of the meet or somewhere in the middle I would still have the same opinion. It is just an amazing race and one of the many reasons to come out and enjoy an evening gathered around the track or in the stands at the football field.

Track and field also produces some of the area's best athletes in the spring. These athletes do not get all the publicity as a softball or baseball player may. Last year three local athletes qualified for the state meet on the campus of Indiana University. This year could prove to be even more exciting with local athletes making their way through the post-season.

Shakamak's Drew Gambill is one of the favored athlete's to make his second straight stint at the State meet. Last Friday during the TRC meet, Gambill broke Shakamak's school record in the 800 meter run as well as the 27-year old TRC record.

James Marlow, Gambill's teammate, is also expected to compete to make a run at the state meet in the long jump. Marlow took home first place in both the county meet and TRC last week, not really being contested in either meet. More impressive about Marlow is, the senior is still not 100 percent recovered from knee surgery during the basketball season.

Marlow and Gambill also teamed up to help the Lakers win the 1,600 relay in come from behind fashion.

Linton-Stockton's Stefan Sparks will also be a strong candidate to contend for a spot at the state meet in the shot-put. His winning heave during the TRC last Friday was a personal best of over 46 feet -- more than three feet further than the second place finisher.

Lady Miner hurdler Kelsey Andis, continues to post impressive times in both the 100 and 300 meter hurdles. She was able to squeak by Shakamak's Holli Moore in both the county and TRC meets last week. Andis advanced to the regional a year ago.

In addition to the 1,600 relay races, the girls 1,600 run may also be one of the most exciting races of the night Friday at the SWIAC meet. Shakamak's Casey Fougerousse and Clay City's Carmela Roeschlein posted identical times in the race last Friday in the TRC meet. The official result was a tie for first place, but don't ask me how this was true with as the races are filmed but somehow a winner was not determined.

But anyway....throw in Bloomfield's freshman phenom Julie Riggins and the event as the making of a classic race.

These are just a few of the many reason's to make an appearance at Roy Williams Field Friday night and support these hard-working athletes who do not get near the recognition they deserve.

Good luck to all the teams and area athletes. See you at the track.

NOTE** In my article covering the TRC meet last Friday I failed to mention Casey Fougerousse's time in the 1,600 was a new school record. Her time of five minutes 35.53 seconds was almost 20 seconds better than her time in the same race Monday at the Greene County meet and was five seconds better than the previous standard at Shakamak. Congrats Casey and sorry for the omission.

Travis David is a sports writer for the Greene County Daily World and can be reached at 812-847-4487 ext. 20 or tdavid@gcdailyworld.com