Eye Opener director Jack Todd is missing the 25th annual Eye Opener meet for another opportunity to serve as International Technical Official (ITO) for track and field at the Beijing Paralympics.
This will be the third time Todd has missed the meet.
Todd served as Chief ITO in 2006 at the IPC Athletics World Championships in Assen, The Netherlands and in 1988 he was coach of the the U.S. Blind Track and Field Team at the Paralympics in Seoul, Korea.
"It was actually a tough decision, but I know the Eye Opener is in good hands," said Todd.
Todd is scheduled to depart today.
Eighty-one high schools and 40 colleges are competing Saturday at The Roger Milliken Center, according to Todd.
Saturday's time schedule
8 a.m.: College women 5K
8:30 a.m.: College men 8K
9 a.m.: Junior varsity boys 5K
9:05 a.m.: Junior varsity girls 5K
9:30 a.m.: Championship girls 5K
10 a.m.: Championship boys 5K
10:30 a.m.: International girls 5K
11 a.m.: International boys 5K
"We are expecting our largest field ever."
Todd said in an e-mail Jimmy Stephens, Ed Schilchter, Mike Baird, and Scott Hubbard will handle the race day duties.
Billy Mills, Olympic gold medalist from 1964 is speaking at USC Upstate Friday evening. "Having Billy Mills to speak the evening before is huge," said Todd.
Todd encouraged in a pre-meet interview that teams and spectators arrive early Saturday morning.
"It is very important for everyone involved to respect the Milliken & Company security personnel. Spectators and participants should also respect the grounds (as they have in past years). The Roger Milliken Center is private property. They have been very gracious in allowing us to use this great venue for cross country."
Jerome Singleton, son of high school league executive director Jerome Singleton, is scheduled to compete in Beijing as well as former South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind student-athlete Royal Mitchell.
Note from meet management: Eye Opener technical t-shirts for $20. Proceeds help offset the costs of the race.
More on Singleton
More on Mitchell
More coverage on Jack Todd
Jack Todd's report on the XII Paralympic Games
Eye Opener Director Jack Todd serving as Chief ITO