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Who gets invited
to the Golden West?
Most "invitationals" are open to anyone meeting standards. GWI is a little different in that it is an all-finals meet. Fields are limited, generally to 9 athletes per event. Naturally, the meet directors want to get the best nine athletes available. With 32 events, that is about 300 elite athletes who will convene at the GWI's "Olympic Village" in Sacramento next June.
Here are the Invitation Guidelines that are used to invite athletes. If you are interested in being considered, you should fill out the Athlete Information Form. Obviously, it is truly an honor to be invited to the Golden West Invitational.
INVITATION GUIDELINES
INVITATION GUIDELINES FOR THE SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS IN
THE GOLDEN WEST INVITATIONAL
1. The Golden West Invitational is open to the top male and female track athletes from throughout the United States. Athletes completing their final season of scholastic track eligibility during the current year will be considered for entry, but in no case will entry be granted to an athlete who will have reached his 20th birthday on or before the 30th day of September the current year. Non-senior (underclassmen) athletes may be selected for entry. They should comply with the applicable Rules of Eligibility of his/her respective state, and it is the responsibility of each athlete, coach, and parent to know what those Rules are. The Golden West Association, its members and officers, the Golden West Invitational, the sponsors, and any entity associated with the above may not be held responsible for any violation of these Rules. We will not make any exceptions to any state's Rules of Eligibility as that would violate by-laws, charters, or rule of regional, state and/or national bodies.
2. Entry is be invitation only, and is limited to nine outstanding performers in each of 32 established high school track and field events. The Golden West Invitational may include the decathlon, heptathlon and selected relays.
3. Invitations are extended to the top qualified high school athletes nationally in each event, as determined by the Selection Committee of the Golden West Association. The Selection Committee is composed of knowledgeable track and field authorities, and other informed volunteers.
4. Though the Selection Committee utilizes an independent nationwide network of advisory coaches and sportswriters to assist in identifying for invitation the most outstanding performers, it must consider proven competitive performances as the prime selection factor. Other factors such as consistency, weather and track conditions, competitive opportunities and hampering injuries are also considered.
5. Should a selected athlete decline an invitation because of injury, illness, or other reasons, the Committee will immediately select another nominee to fill the vacant entry position. In the late selection of such alternates, the Committee may also give consideration to travel distance, notification time , and other pertinent factors.
6. "Stand-by Alternates" in each event, to be called upon to fill entry positions in case of last minute scratches, may be selected from among the best qualified Northern California Athletes, unless otherwise approved by the Meet Director(s) or other official of the GWA. It is mandatory that those athletes understand that they are stand-by alternates and are not to be misled into believing anything else.
7. The Golden West Invitational presents to participating athletes a unique and demanding challenge, since there are no trials, heats, or preliminaries. All running events are "one shot, go for broke" situations
