the East Coast Invitational Meet in Bethesda, Maryland.

A relatively small team of nine Bermudians -- including five who returned just last week from the Caribbean Junior Championships -- leave today and arrive back in Bermuda next Monday.

They will take part in 25 to 30 individual events this weekend, ranging from the 100 metres to 1,500 metres. Last year, Bermuda won ten medals against some 2,800 athletes from the US east coast, Puerto Rico and Antigua.

And the trip takes on added significance for Raneika Bean, the 15-year-old sensation who will be inducted into the event's silver medal Hall of Fame. The honour goes to an athlete who has won five medals, which Bean has done in just two years. Bean, who will compete in the 100 metres, high jump and triple jump, will join two other Bermudians, Rohaan Simons and Janita Dill in the silver medal Hall of Fame.

The only Island athlete to have been inducted into the gold medal Hall of Fame is sprinter Devon Bean.

This will be the third big event of the year for Raneika Bean, Dill, Gabriel Wilkinson, Janine Scott and Richard Walcott, all of whom also took part in the Carifta Games this past spring.

Also going are Kristen Eve, Danielle Watson, Latisha Perinchief and Reggie Walcott, plus coach Jay Tucker and Cal Simons.

In their previous 15 appearances at the meet, the Pacers have captured 60 gold medals, 70 silver and 30 bronze and have had four individuals win outstanding athlete awards.