For one meet, track athletes across the Midwest won’t have to worry about their team’s performance . . . and everyone wins because of it.

Lawrence Central High School boys track coach Mike Holman has been operating the Midwest Prep Invitational for more than a decade, setting performance standards to qualify and not keeping team scores, so the best athletes can compete in their primary event and see a level of competition not available until a state meet.

“We set it up so the best athletes don’t have to worry about scoring points (and being fatigued for their top event),” Holman said. "If you’ve got a stud, he doesn’t see the best competition until deep into (the postseason). This way, (an athlete) gets a feel for (top) competition and the nerves he’ll feel (at the state meet).

“When they get to that position, they’ll be better prepared.”

The meet will include the 16 standard track and field events for boys and girls, beginning at 11 a.m. with the finals at 1 p.m.

Holman is expecting representatives from 59 schools, totaling more than 650 athletes, including traditional power Bloom Township from Illinois and Mumford in Detroit, in addition to highly ranked local teams, such as Ben Davis and Lawrence North. The event has had as many as 1,000 athletes but has been canceled three seasons in a row due to weather.

“The level of competition has been phenomenal,” Holman said. "We’ve had several All-Americans in the meet. We’ve had 3:17s in the 1,600-meter relay, 15-foot vaults with attempts at 16.

“Teams like Mumford, with its tremendous history, come to this meet to see outstanding competition. Fans will get to see some of the same athletes that will be on the medal stand in Bloomington (at the state meet).”