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Celebrate Mother’s Day Weekend on Alabama’s Beaches with Expanded Slate of Sporting Events

5/4/2009

GULF SHORES and ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – Fresh on the heels of several athletic events, the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission will continue the momentum as the Pleasure Island community hosts two female-only events during Mother’s Day weekend in addition to a rescheduled state track championship.

After being postponed last week, the area will also host the 2009 AHSAA State Track Championship from May 7th through 9th at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex. Gulf Shores was originally the site for class 4A through 6A competition but will now also host classes 1A through 3A due to a scheduling conflict at a previously scheduled championship site. Over 2,000 student- athletes representing will compete in 17 events, such as shot put, discus, javelin, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, hurdles, dash and relay.

Competition for classes 1A through 3A kicks off on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. and continues throughout the day until the last heat begins at 4:00 p.m. Play resumes on Friday from 8:00 a.m. and will culminate with an awards ceremony at 2:30 p.m.

Afterwards, competition begins for classes 4A through 6A and will conclude at 9:00 p.m. Play resumes on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. An awards ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at the championship site. Admission is $8.00 per day.

“The AHSAA looks forward to the state track meet,” said Wanda Gilliland, assistant director of the AHSAA. “It is an exciting time for our student athletes and coaches. The AHSAA appreciates the support of the AL Gulf Coast Sports Commission and the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Gulf Shores.”

Sports Commission sponsors represented at this event include Microtel Inn and Suites, Young’s Suncoast Realty, Original Oyster House, The Hangout, Cosmo’s Restaurant and Bar, Flippers Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar and Lester’s. For more information, visit www.ahsaa.com.

Next up to bat are the nearly 960 Alabama high school student-athletes, who will compete in the 2009 AHSAA Regional Softball Championship on May 8th and 9th. Forty-eight teams representing classes 1A through 6A will battle it out during two days of competition to advance to the championships. Held at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex, play begins on Friday at 10:00 a.m. and spans the day until the last games starts at 6:30 p.m. Play resumes on Saturday at 8:00 a.m., and the last game begins at 8:30 p.m. Parking is $3.00 per day, and tournament admission is $8.00 per day. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge.

The AHSAA is excited to add the regional playoff format for softball,” Gilliland said. “It will be a mini state tournament at four sites in Alabama. I would like the say thank-you to the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission, City of Gulf Shores, and the Gulf Shores Parks and Recreation Department for all their hard work. This is just another event for our student athletes to enjoy their high school season. Bring the family and enjoy a great place to visit and to watch some of the best talent in Alabama.”

Other regional tournaments are also being hosted in Montgomery, Birmingham and Huntsville.

Sports Commission sponsors represented at this event include Microtel Inn and Suites and The Hangout. For more information, visit www.ahsaa.com.

Also, the female anglers, including many mother and daughter teams celebrating Mother’s Day, will try their hands at reeling in a winning catch during the Pink Rubber Boots Ladies Fishing Rodeo, which is set for May 9th at LuLu’s at Homeport Marina. The activities start with a captain’s meeting at on Thursday evening at 6:00. Anglers are encouraged to wear their pink rubber boats to the meeting and following kick-off party that will feature delicious food, live music and several raffles.

Then, the competition begins at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday morning as these ladies have until 2:00 p.m. to land a prize winning catch in one of seven in-shore fish categories. Registration is $125.00 for members while non-members will pay $175.00. All junior division anglers (age 16 and under) pay $125.00. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Covenant Hospice and its unfunded Children’s Program’s and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation.

“This is a unique turn-key fishing adventure that will create incredible lasting memories for our lady anglers and captains,” said Claudia E. Espenscheid. “We are particularly excited to be back at LuLu’s to celebrate Mother’s Day. Catch the excitement and join us!”

For more information or to register, visit www.fishinchix.com, or call 850-916-4444.

The Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission will welcome these upcoming events: Seaside Shoot Out and Sandlot Shoot Out (May 15-17), Second Annual EVP Gulf Shores Pro Am Beach Festival (May 16-17) and Eastern Shore Taekwondo Invitational (May 16)

For information on these or any other sporting event along the Alabama Gulf Coast, please visit www.alabamagulfcoastsports.com, or call 1-800-745-SAND.

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Revised Track Schedule: click here

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