To Whom it May Concern,

I am writing in response to the upsetting news that the MPA is considering eliminating the opportunity for athletes to attend New Englands. As an alumni of Falmouth High School, where I ran track during my four years there. I qualified to attend the New England meets 6 times (indoor and outdoor) and while I only attended 5 competitions, the opportunity and honor to compete against the best high school athletes in New England is something that is hard to match.

I will always remember my first New England meet. I was the only person who qualified from my high school and since it was such an unexpected chance, I couldn't turn it down. My family drove my track coach and I down to Boston from Maine in snowy conditions. When we arrived at the Reggie Lewis Center, I remember being in awe of the number of athletes and spectators who were there to compete and support. To be honest, I was overwhelmed but looking back at the experience, it showed me a glimpse of what I would encounter in college meets. While I was the best sprinter in Maine, the New England meet gave me competition that I couldn't have dreamed of. Girls were able to run the 55m half a second faster than I and while I was able to dominate in Maine high school track I was able to compete against equals in the New England meet.

The New England meet is an opportunity to allow Maine runners to not only grow as athletes but to help them prepare for running track in college. The atmosphere and pressure of the New England meet is akin to competing in college - you know you are racing against elite athletes who, like you, have a love of the sport. I would be disappointed if the opportunity to compete in New England meets was revoked because I will always remember the meets I competed at and how they helped me improve as an athlete. Maybe it will be a cost saving measure but I am proof that even though our school didn't supply transportation to the meet, I still wanted to attend and was able to do so by the support of my family and coaches.

Beth Rubinstein