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A Brief History of the Larry Burgess-Las Vegas Invitational!
A Brief History of the Larry Burgess-Las Vegas Invitational!
The Larry Burgess-Las Vegas Invitational, often called the LVI, can trace its long history back many, many years. 2019 is marking the 50th anniversary, although it is actually the 51st edition of the meet. The meet was started by UNLV track and cross-country coach Gordon Edwards and Western High School cross country Coach Dean Weible in 1968. The meet was held on the UNLV campus with both colleges and high schools taking part. Edwards ran the college part of the meet and Weible was in charge of the high school division.
The Larry Burgess-Las Vegas Invitational, often called the LVI, can trace its long history back many, many years. 2019 is marking the 50th anniversary, although it is actually the 51st edition of the meet. The meet was started by UNLV track and cross-country coach Gordon Edwards and Western High School cross country Coach Dean Weible in 1968. The meet was held on the UNLV campus with both colleges and high schools taking part. Edwards ran the college part of the meet and Weible was in charge of the high school division.
UNLV dropped their men’s cross-country program in 1975 and the meet became a high school only race. Title IX was not as yet a federal law and as a result, the meet was a male only meet for some nine years.
UNLV dropped their men’s cross-country program in 1975 and the meet became a high school only race. Title IX was not as yet a federal law and as a result, the meet was a male only meet for some nine years.
Female competitors and teams were added in 1977.
Female competitors and teams were added in 1977.
The meet had less than 200 runners in 1968 but quickly grew in size and popularity. Last year’s meet (2018) drew some 65 schools (high schools and middle schools) and over 1200 runners. Over the years, the meet has drawn schools from not only Nevada but California, Utah, Arizona, New York, Ohio and Washington.
The meet had less than 200 runners in 1968 but quickly grew in size and popularity. Last year’s meet (2018) drew some 65 schools (high schools and middle schools) and over 1200 runners. Over the years, the meet has drawn schools from not only Nevada but California, Utah, Arizona, New York, Ohio and Washington.
Several nationally ranked teams and individuals have competed in the meet over the years with National Footlocker (Kinney) Champion Kira Jorgensen (San Diego) winning the individual title in 1987. Over 50 state individual champions and too numerous to mention state team champions from various states have competed in the LVI.
Several nationally ranked teams and individuals have competed in the meet over the years with National Footlocker (Kinney) Champion Kira Jorgensen (San Diego) winning the individual title in 1987. Over 50 state individual champions and too numerous to mention state team champions from various states have competed in the LVI.
In 1981 Coach Larry Burgess of Basic High School became the meet director and the meet continued to be held for eight more years at UNLV. In 1989, however, the meet was moved to the campus of Basic High School (Henderson) where it remained until Coach Burgess retired from coaching in 2005. At that time the name of the meet was changed slightly to the Larry Burgess-Las Vegas Invitational in honor of his many years of service.
In 1981 Coach Larry Burgess of Basic High School became the meet director and the meet continued to be held for eight more years at UNLV. In 1989, however, the meet was moved to the campus of Basic High School (Henderson) where it remained until Coach Burgess retired from coaching in 2005. At that time the name of the meet was changed slightly to the Larry Burgess-Las Vegas Invitational in honor of his many years of service.
The meet was moved to Sunset Park in 2010. The present meet director of the LVI is Jenn Sneed who ran for Basic High School from 1998 – 2001. Jenn has put her heart and soul into the LVI and under her direction the future of the meet looks very bright.
The meet was moved to Sunset Park in 2010. The present meet director of the LVI is Jenn Sneed who ran for Basic High School from 1998 – 2001. Jenn has put her heart and soul into the LVI and under her direction the future of the meet looks very bright.
-Written by Coach Larry Burgess, July 2019
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