The 62nd Annual Golden West Invitational is in the books and the final email was sent just a few minutes ago. It’s loaded with meet highlights, videos, photos of all the action from that long day of multi-generational competition. Here’s the link: https://mailchi.mp/8f3cb87ad6e2/gwi-registration-is-open-for-hs-youth-open-athletes-11483458. Congratulations to all who who competed, and a huge thank you is deserved by the many dedicate volunteers who made the meet possible. Save the weekend of June 4 2023 foe the 63rd Annual GWI. We hope to see you all there!
Tag Archives: Golden West Invitational
GWI Alumni at the Tokyo Olympics
Visit the GWI Olympians page now updated with the GWI alumni who competed there and their performances.
61ST ANNUAL GWI RESULTS
RESULTS
High School Girls Mile left to right: Riley Chamberlain (2nd), Allie Janke (1st), Lauren Ping (3rd)
GWI Souvenir Apparel!
GWI 2021 Date and Venue!
- Date: Weekend of June 19, one or two days depending on # of entries
- Venue: Cordova HS, Rancho Cordova
______________________________________________________________
60th Annual GWI Celebration Banquet & Pre-Meet Clinics Information. Sign up Soon!
Visit this page for details about and to sign up for the following:
- NEW! Youth Clinic (Tues., Wed. Thurs., May 28-30)
- NEW! Pre-Meet Michael Carter Throws Clinic on Sat. June 1 from 11 am to 2:30 pm
- Friday, Night’s (May 31) “Meet the Olympians” Banquet
60th Annual Golden West Invitational Festivities Build Momentum: Friday Evening “Meet the Olympians” Banquet!
Currently the Olympians planning to attend are Michael Carter and his daughter Michelle, the the only Father/Daughter pair to have won Olympic Gold Medals (Shot Put). They also hold the overall shot put records at the Golden West Invitational. Also planning to attend are Suzy Powell, Stephanie Brown Trafton, and Ed Burke. Save the date, May 31, and watch for details about the Banquet time, location and ticket sales, as well as updates on more celebrity guests! See the promo flyer below for more information.
Relive the 2018 GWI! GWI history page has been updated with 2018 GWI marks; 2018 GWI photo gallery has been uploaded.
The 2018 Golden West Invitational was a success in every way. The entry numbers were the largest ever since the move to Oak Ridge High School, so the word is getting out that the meet is there to stay. Entrants hailed from Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, Nevada, and from all over California. The elementary and middle school divisions were well attended and provided these youngsters the opportunity to compete is a national caliber track & field meet.
Performances of note were those of pole vaulters Laurel Wong (Salinas, CA) 13′-4″, 1st (shown below) and Alysia Allen (Reno, NV) 13′-4″, 2nd, who both achieved GWI Girls Top 10 rankings.
A tremendous group of photographs of the meets’ activities have been uploaded for your viewing pleasure.
Be sure to save the date, June 8, 2019 for the 60th Annual Golden West Invitational Track & Field Meet.
GWI Alum is First Woman at the 2018 Boston Marathon!
Desiree Linden (nee Davila), after nearly DNF’ing in the early miles at the 2018 windy, rainy Boston Marathon, persisted to run with the lead pack. She gradually pulled away and won by more than 4 minutes in 2:39:54.
Des Linden near halfway point of Boston Marathon 2018. – By Gr5555 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Desi, originally from Chula Vista, CA, competed in soccer, track and cross country in her high school years (1998-2001). Her Golden West Invitational performance capped her CIF California State Meet performances where the sub-5-minute miler was a finalist all four years. In both 1998 and 1999 she was 8th in the 1600m. 1999 saw her also attempt to double in the 800m, finishing last after being depleted from the 1600m. In 2000, she improved that to 5th. Her best finish was 4th in 2001 in the 3200m. In all but the 800m at the CIF she was beaten by Sara Bei (now Hall), also a GWI alum who continues a successful marathon career.
Linden studied psychology at Arizona State University, and was a two time All-American in track and cross country. Desi went on to compete in distance running nationally and internationally, including the 2016 Olympics (7th in 2:26:08). Her personal best marathon time is 2:22:38, when she placed 2nd at the 2011 Boston Marathon.
On 13 February 2016, Desi placed second, behind Amy Hastings, at the US Olympic Marathon Trials, finishing in 2:28:54 on a warm day in Los Angeles. By Trackinfo – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link