Guthrie Track set to host first ever Gary Boxley Invitational for local elementary schools

An Oklahoma coaching legend will now have a track event named after him at a school where he has spent over three decades.

Head coaches Bryce Balenseifen and Jake Jensen announced the program will hold an event on Friday, May 17 at the Clay Tarter Complex (formerly known as the high school practice field) for Guthrie elementary schools, including Central Elementary, Cotteral Elementary, Fogarty Elementary, and Charter Oak Elementary.

“The guy defines humility,” Jensen said of Boxley. “Helps coach three plus days a week and refuses to take a stipend.”

Boxley, in 2009, was named the Oklahoma Track Coaches Association Coach of the Year and in 2010 was inducted into the Oklahoma Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

It’s not just a Guthrie thing. Although, Guthrie has been a big part of Boxley.

“He coaches kids from all over Oklahoma. (He) genuinely knows every event as in he can train kids for any event,” Balenseifen added.

Boxley came to Guthrie in 2000 and had coaching stops at Crescent, Marlow, Perry, and Edmond Memorial along with stints in private business before his time in Guthrie. 

With the Gary Boxley Invitational in the spring and the Clay Tarter Memorial in the fall, Balenseifen says the program has all the “bases covered.”

“Truly one of the G.O.A.T’s (greatest of all time),” Coach B added.

Related Article: Gary Boxley says farewell to Guthrie High School

The information for the invitational is listed below.

Admission: 
Adults (18+) – $5
Seniors (60+) – FREE

Running Events Starting 9:30 (rolling schedule)
4x100m (girls, boys) (one team per school)
400m (girls, boys)
200m (girls, boys)
100m (girls, boys)
4x200m (girls, boys) (one team per school)

Field Events Starting 10:00
10:00 – Long Jump (boys, girls) (3 total jumps)
10:00 – Softball Throw (girls, boys) (3 total throws)
10:30 – Tug of War (boys, girls) (6 on 6) (co-ed if necessary vs boys)

Scoring:
Individual Events will be scored 1st place (4 points) 2nd place (3 points) 3rd place (2 points) and 4th place (1 point)
Relays and Tug of War will be scored 1st place (8 points) 2nd place (6 points) 3rd place (4 points) and 4th place (2 points)

Awards:
1st Place through 4th Place Individuals/Relays will get Ribbons
Winning Girls’ and Boys’ Schools will receive plaques

Concession:
Water, Gatorade, soda, hot dogs, popcorn, candy, etc. The concession stand is located directly north of the bleachers. 

Restrooms:
Restrooms will be available directly north of the bleachers. They are located in the same building as the concession stand.