By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Oct. 17, 2003
Rush Sports Medicine and the Meridian Youth Soccer Organization will team up once again to host a tournament in the Queen City this weekend.
A total of 24 teams will strap on their shin guards and spikes to participate in the 11th annual Rush Autumn Classic Tournament.
Teams from Meridian, Jackson, Laurel, Brandon, Clinton, Newton County and Florence will compete in the event held at the Jaycees Soccer Complex.
The two-day event will field teams in boys' under-10, under-12 and under-16 divisions and in girls' under-10 and under-12 divisions. The under-12 girls' bracket will be the only competition that will play on Sunday.
The under-12 girls' division drew eight teams for the tourney, and the other age brackets each have four teams.
Tournament director Sonja Rowell, who has volunteered at the tournament for four years, said the weekend soccer matches are a boon not just for the city but for the parents of players in the MYSO.
There will be no under-8 division at the tournament this year because the Mississippi Youth Soccer Association has mandated that tournaments can no longer be held for that age group.
An under-14 age division for both boys and girls will also be absent from this year's event because of scheduling conflicts.
Along with sponsoring the tournament Rush Hospital trainers will be on site at all of the games to provide any necessary on-sight medical assistance.
Each team is guaranteed three games at the tournament, and squads will earn first and second place finishes based on points.
Though the numbers may be down for this year's soccer event, those associated with the tournament said they expect to have another great weekend on the pitch.