Undeberg Invite hosts record number of athletes

The Undeberg Invitational track meet, sponsored by the Lind-Ritzville and Reardan track programs, went without a hitch on April 14. The Medical Lake High School track was packed with competitors from all over the east side of the state.

This meet marked the seventh annual Undeberg Invitational, an event named in honor of Ritzville resident Harold Undeberg, who passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer in October of 2005. Harold had served as a starter for area track meets for 25 years and always had a passion for track and the athletes that participated.

The Undeberg Invitational is different than any other track invitational around. Most track invitational’s only invite the top two or three athletes in an event from each school, meaning the entire track and field team does not get to participate in these events.

Harold’s daughter, Heidi Hunt, said that he did not want entries to be limited and believed that every athlete should have a chance to participate. Hunt served as just one of the many local area volunteers that helped at the event.

Local volunteers at the event included Bill Cox, Al McBroom, Jordan Bilodeaux, Dave Kommes, Lisa Cox, Rita Fryberger, “Aunt Tori,” Dennis Sackmann, Karen Whitmore, Brian Ellis, Courtney Flynn, Kelsey Arlt, Cory Whitmore, Stacy Schoessler, Ty Fryberger, Pat Yerxa, Michelle Larson, Lori Olson, John Kragt and Rick Nelson. There were eight junior high students that also volunteered their time at the event.

Greg Whitmore served as the meet director and helped to coordinate the entire event. Whitmore said that there was 530 athletes registered for the event, but believed 500 actually competed.

“Over all, this is a small school meet. We have a couple double ‘A’ schools, but the big schools are sent to Pasco,” explained Whitmore. “This is the biggest we had as an Undeberg Invite.”

Every athlete that won their event received an Undeberg Invitational shirt for their success. Kate Schell, a freshman at Ritzville High School, was the only LRS athlete to place first in an individual event. Schell, Randi Tice-York, Maya Wahl and Caitlin Schoessler placed first in the 4x200-meter relay and the team received shirts.

It has been about 14 years since the invitational has been hosted in Ritzville, and Whitmore is hoping to see the meet return with the addition of an all-weather track. Whitmore has been involved with the Project 56 committee since it’s start in 2006, and believes that the success of the project would greatly help the track program.

“If you have a great facility to practice on, the kids enjoy it more. They don’t like practicing in the mud or on a windy day having the dirt and dust in their eyes,” said Whitmore. Whitmore has also been an assistant coach for the track and field team for many years.

Randy Heidenreich, current head coach of the LRS track program, and Whitmore have discussed how they would like the track to be laid out and constantly discuss the impact it could have on their program. Whitmore believes that having nice facilities would attract more teams to compete in the meet since Ritzville serves as a central location to many schools.

Medical Lake has allowed the Undeberg Invitational to be held at the facilities at the high school free of charge, but Medical Lake students run the concession stand at the event. The LRS team makes money by selling Undeberg Invitational attire and meet information booklets.

Whitmore commented that when people come to visit Ritzville with the potential to move here, one of the first things a family looks at is the school. The school and the facilities are what first attracts families to the community.

“Even just driving through the town, you have a good impression. The pool, park and golf course are all appealing,” said Whitmore. “Twenty years ago when I came to drop off my resume, I remember thinking: ‘This community takes care of itself.’”

Whitmore believes that with a new track, Ritzville then has the potential to host about five or six meets a year, including the Undeberg Invitational. The large meets could bring in visitors and help to revitalize the town, but it’s about more than the money.

“The beauty about track is that every athlete can be successful,” said Whitmore. “The Undeberg Invite allows all athletes to compete and everybody goes home with a mark or a personal record.”