GREAT SOUTHWEST TRACK AND FIELD CLASSIC
BOARD OF directors and operations
Fred Polich
Executive Director
Fred has been coaching Track & Field and Cross Country at the high school level for 33 years. He has been the Albuquerque Recorder of Boys Track & Field Records since 1995 National Level Official for USAT&F.
Was President of the New Mexico Cross Country and Track & Field Association. Inducted into the New Mexico Cross Country and Track & Field Hall of Fame.
Meet Director for the Great Southwest Track & Field Classic from 2001-2013.
Presently Executive Director for the Great Southwest Track & Field Classic.
JOHN SAMORe
Chairman of the board
John Samore is an Albuquerque attorney who has been on the Board of Directors for fifteen years. In his running days, he raced at the national-level distance and Olympic Trials and is honored to be appointed to fill the impressive Chairman's position after the loss of his good friend Mike Danoff.
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Blaine Clark
president
Blaine Clarke has been involved with Cross Country and Track and Field since 1966 to date. He has been a competitor, coach, meet administrator and meet official throughout his career.
Dr. La Vern Clarke-Roberts is one of the most decorated female track and field athlete to come through The University of New Mexico, competing in the long and triple jump while winning Conference Championship and All American plaudits as a Lady Lobo. She is the only New Mexico field athlete to earn two All American honors in one championship and won five Conference titles during her collegiate career. Dr. Roberts also represented Canada in international competitions and held Canadian record in the triple jump.
La Vern Clarke-Roberts
Director
Jerry Vigil
Director
Jerry R.Vigil a native New Mexican, retired insurance professional, Kiwanis Club of Los Altos Past President supporting the GSWT&F as director of Registration,Transportation for 20 years. CEO Pamela M.Galbraith Memorial Foundation a financial supporter of the GSWT&F Classic.
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"The Value of a Life is Measured By it's Service to Others"
MAtthew Romero
Meet Director
Matthew Romero is a local alumni who ran high school track and field for Del Norte High school and still possesses a passion for running. Matthew is now attending the University of New Mexico and is the assistant coach for Del Norte’s cross country and track & field programs. He joined the Great Southwest Board of Directors and was appointed Meet Director in 2021.
Michael J cummings
treasurer
Michael J. Cummings has been involved in the Great Southwest Track and field classic for over 10 years. He is Passionate about the Great Southwest, as it provides young inspiring athletes with the real opportunity to compete on a national platform right here in Albuquerque. Michael’s love for track and field comes from seeing all of the incredible athletes from all over the country come to Albuquerque and compete in all of track and field events. He is committed to seeing this totally positive, constructive and meaningful event for young athletes move forward and grow.
President, Applied EHSD LLC
CEO, Eco Green Building LLC
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harvey carreathers
secretary
Graduated from Grants High School in 1994. Played multiple sports in high school, football, baseball, golf, and track and field. Started coaching track in 2001 as an assistant throws coach at Manzano High School. Took over as the Manzano Head Boys coach in 2004 to present. Started working as an official for the Great Southwest in 2005. Served as a selection chair from 2016-2019. Coached the USA 4x100 relay from 2017-2018. I am President-Elect for the New
Mexico Track & Cross Country Coaches Association.
Married to Heather Greene with two children Charles and Cooper.
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Jeff turcotte
Director
1980 Eldorado Grad
1980-84 UNM Lobo XC-Track (7 letters)
1985 UNM BBA Marketing
St. Pius X XC/Track Coach 1988-current
Wife: Doris Daughters: Ashley, Tessa
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Neil Silver
Director
Neil Silver has been involved in track and field for over 65 years; As a competitor in elementary, junior high, high school, college, and masters.
He began coaching in the late 70's on the club ( Duke City Dashers) and mid-school ( Queen of Heaven) level, then head coach at St. Pius X, as well as masters. He founded a masters track club, (Los Viejos) and also served as president of TAC and officials certification chairman. He left coaching to for a position representing the Mondo corporation track division. After retirement he returned to St. Pius X as an assistant to one of his former assistants. He has a level 2 certification in jumps but has coach all events. He gets great satisfaction from coaching the children of his former athletes and hopes to live long enough to coach their grandchildren.
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Steve ross
operations
Steve retired December 31,2021 after serving as President
& CEO for the Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico – Mr. Ross is a
fifth generation New Mexican who attended UNM on a track scholarship
where he achieved All-American status in weightlifting. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He holds a master’s degree in management from Webster University. He spent fourteen years as a
director for various YMCA’s and eighteen years in higher education working with several colleges and universities, including UNM and San Juan College. A certified fund-raising executive (CFRE), he has successfully raised millions of dollars for the YMCA and higher education through capital campaigns, planned giving, and annual fund drives. He is former member of the board of directors for the Apartment Association of New Mexico and served as Vice Chair of the Government Affairs Council. He has served on the boards of Meals on Wheels, Good Shepperd Center, Salvation Army, and Rotary Club of Albuquerque.
Steve and his wife Angel live in Rio Rancho and have 15 grandchildren.
His hobbies include playing guitar, singing, and competing in USA Masters Track & Field (shot put & discus) where he has won two National
Championships and a gold medal in the Huntsman Senior World Games.