Bobcats:

I hope this message finds everyone well, and hopefully warm this winter. The reason for the message is to ask for your help in sending Senior Annie Beecham to the University of Washington Husky Invite this weekend.

To fill you in on the details, Annie ran a school-record 9:32 3k last weekend at the Notre Dame Meyo Invite. Saturday's results and recent workouts suggest that she ready for a huge PR in the 5k. Every year if you want to run a fast indoor 5k, you have to get out to UW and race with the best. Of the 17 NCAA national qualifiers in 2010, 11 of them ran their time at the UW meet. In other words, if you want a chance at qualifying to nationals and running under 16:20, you have to go to Washington. So, yesterday we booked a flight for Annie to make the trip out West to race this Friday night.

Long story short, we all know about the great financial support that Ohio University gives to its track and field team, so needless to say a $1500 trip to chase after a fast time puts a significant dent in the budget. So I'm reaching out to recent alums in the hopes of fundraising to help cover/offset the trip's cost. I realize that many of you are recent grads and money might still be tight, so it's understandable if you don't have money to donate.

If we get 40 people to give $25, that's $1,000. Whether you are only able to give $5 or you wish to give more, anything will help. Also, you will be able to write off any donation on your taxes.

If you are able to help in any way, please send a check to:

Clay Calkins
Ohio Track and Field
Convocation Center
Athens, OH 45701

You can watch Annie's race live Friday night at 10:10 (ET) on FloTrack ---> www.flotrack.com

**Anyone wishing to donate can also donate online by going to: www.ohio.edu/give, Under Gift Designation - select "Other", and specify in the "Other" Box - "Track and Field" as the designated recipient for the donation!