The cross-country program for Memphis Youth Athletics (MYA) had its most successful year yet, building on eleven years of serving the youth of Memphis.
For seven weeks, from September 9 to October 23, 2,741 children from local elementary, middle, and high schools participated in MYA’s cross-country program, representing 259 teams over the three age groups. In total, 15 meets run by MYA took place at Shelby Farms Park this year, including the Frank Horton Classic and West TN Regional.
One hundred and fifty scholarships were given out to underprivileged youth in the area to completely cover the costs of the cross-country program, as MYA serves more than 20 zip codes within the Memphis metro area.
MYA is getting kids to be active and enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle at an ever increasing rate, which is incredibly important in a city that has one of the highest obesity rates in the nation.
None of these accomplishments would have been able to happen without the work of over 100 volunteers and 12 staff members who worked on all the preparations for the course and set up for the meets, as well as all the meet-day operations. Among the dedicated volunteers and MYA board members, Ted Padduck, Kelley Grusin, and John Payne deserve a special thank-you, as they worked tirelessly every meet to make the season a success.
The crown jewel of the MYA cross country season, the Frank Horton Classic, which Grusin was the meet director of, had its biggest year yet, bringing in competition from seven states and had the most competitive field yet, with multiple course records being broken. The nighttime spectacle, which is rare for a cross country meet, is one of the greatest anyone can find in the United States, and it separates itself as one of the premiere cross country meets in the nation.
Shelby Farms Park has also been instrumental in the success of MYA, and a fantastic partner of the organization. Thanks to its help, MYA can cultivate and use the world-class course, which will soon host the Tennessee State Cross Country Championships and can control and effectively host the massive crowds that the meets draw out to the park.
After the most successful cross country season yet, MYA will host its track and field program, which you can sign up for here, as well as its summer program, which is a four-week program that works to promote and teach healthy habits in children.