BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- The Rotary Club of St. Joseph-Benton Harbor is hosting its 67th Annual Track Meet at Saint Joseph High School on Friday, May 2. 

The event is a local staple that began in May 1958 and was initiated by Joe Rogers, the Benton Harbor High School
Athletic Director, Arnold Karsten, the St. Joseph High School Athletic Director, and Rotarian John Longacre.

"They wanted to develop a track meet where athletes could participate in a friendly competition in preparation for the State competition," a spokesperson for the Rotary Club said. "This event would also serve as an opportunity for athletes in smaller schools to test their skills against their peers at larger schools."

Field events and preliminary rounds will start at 4:30 p.m. with the finals starting at 6 p.m. on May 2, at the St. Joseph High School Stadium.

The cost to attend is $5 for adults and $2 for students with proceeds from admission fees going to supporting the Rotary Track Scholarship.

This year, 21 teams will be participating, including Benton Harbor, Bangor, Berrien Springs, Brandywine, Bridgman, Buchanan, Cassopolis, Countryside Charter, Coloma, Covert, Dowagiac, Edwardsbury, Eau Claire, Lakeshore, Niles, New Buffalo, Our Lady of the Lake, River Valley, South Haven, St. Joseph, and Watervliet.

"The Rotary Club of St. Joseph-Benton Harbor was tapped for collaboration because of the broad volunteer pool needed to support this type of event, especially in earlier years when the technology was limited," a spokesperson said.

"The event has grown since that time to become one of the largest in Southwest Michigan and a great source of pride for the Rotary Club of St. Joseph-Benton Harbor."

Events include the 4X100, 4X200, 4X400, 4X800 relays, 100- and 400-yard dash, high jump, pole vault, long jump, shot put, and more.

The 2025 Rotary Track Meet Scholarship winners:

• ANDREW MABRY of Bridgman High School. Andrew is the son of Matthew and Pamela Mabry and has Cross Country, Track, Basketball, Club Volleyball, Student Senate, NHS, DECA and is a Student Body Representative as well as many Community Service Projects. Andrew has been accepted to the University of Alabama, U of M, MSU, Davenport, WMU, Arizona State and Grand Valley. He has earned a GPA of 3.98. His plans are to attend an University majoring in Nursing.
• ELENA FIGUEROA of Saint Joseph High School. Elena is the daughter of Thom Figueroa and Mauren Chacon and has participated in Track, Cross Country, AP Leadership Club, National Honors Society, Rotary Interact Club, is the Senior Class Vice President as well as a wide variety of community service activities. Alena has earned a GPA of 3.984. She has been accepted to University of Michigan and Michigan State University, majoring in Biochemist in preparation for a career in medicine.
• EMMET LORENZ of Saint Joseph High School. Emmett is the son of Orrin and Bridget Lorenz and has participated in Cross Country, Track, Scouts of America, Swimming, Math Club, Sailing and Youth Orchestra. Also, he has volunteered in many community service projects including the Soup Kitchen. Emmet has earned a GPA of 3.806. He has been accepted to are to Michigan State University and Western Michigan College of Engineering. Course of study is Electrical Engineering.
• LILLIAN WIEGAND of Berrien Springs High School. Lillian is the daughter of Greg and Kate Weigand and has participated in Track, Dance, Basketball, NHS and many, many Community Service Projects. Lillian has been accepted to Michigan State University and the University of Alabama with a Kinesiology focus.