A contingent of more than 30 Bermudian athletes leaves today to compete in the annual Russell E Blunt/East Coast Invitational meet in North Carolina, USA.

Thirty members of the Bermuda Pacers club as well as three from Mid-Island Striders will pit their talent against an estimated 3,000 athletes between the ages of seven and 19 in the three-day competition which starts on Friday.

It will be the 21st time in the meet's 27-year history that Bermuda Pacers will be participating and coach Cal Simons is optimistic about his young athletes' chances, particularly those who are seasoned at this level.

Richard Walcott will attempt to defend his titles in both the 17-19 Males 800 and 1,500 metres. He is expected to lead the boys' challenge in his tenth meet appearance while Deanne Lightbourne, last year's 800-metre winner among 11-12 Girls; top field-event athlete Brittaney Marshall (15-16 Girls' shot putt and discus) and Danielle Watson (15-16 Girls' 200 and 400 metres and long jump), in her seventh East Coast outing, will spearhead the girls.

Other notables in the Bermuda Pacers squad are Dante Leverock, Donte Brangman, Trey Simons, Tre Houston, Latroya Darrell and United States-based Arantxa King.

"We are hoping the kids perform extremely well. We have some good chances for medals but, more importantly, we see this as a developmental step - for them to measure their talent against some of the best runners on the East Coast of the United States.

"We want them to enjoy the experience and have fun," said Simons whose team returned with six golds, two silvers and four bronzes last year.

Mid-Island Striders' coach, Bill Euler, is also confident the three athletes under his charge - Whitney Matthew, Howard Ascento and Tristan Francis - can give a good account of themselves.

Matthew, an outstanding performer at Middle Schools' sports, will compete in the 13-14 Girls' 100 and 400 metres and the long jump. Ascento be eyeing a sprint double in the 13-14 Boys' and also seeking glory in the long jump. Francis, who is part of Euler's group for this meet since his club West End Athletic is not participating, competes in the 13-14 Boys' 200 metres.

"I expect them to do well. They have trained hard. All three are going to Trinidad (for the Caribbean Union of Teachers' Track and Field Championships) afterwards so this will be a good meet to get them sharp for that," said Euler.

Ten members of the Bermuda Pacers squad will also compete in Trinidad.