In the wake of local cricket, track and field, netball, softball, swimming, soccer and gymnastics teams heading to overseas competition in the past week, yet another local squad is venturing abroad today when the Bermuda Pacers track club make their 14th straight appearance at the East Coast Invitationals in Maryland.

The 26 athletes, ranging in age from eight to 18, will join more than 2,600 competitors who have already registered for the meet. Competition will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the University of Maryland where a new track will be in use for the first time.

Oldest member of the Pacers team will be Michael Donawa who was scheduled to return last night from the CAC Championships over the weekend in Guatemala where he competed in the 800 and 1500 metres. It wasn't known at press time how he or the rest of the Bermuda squad fared at those Games.

Donawa, Gina Cann, Jarita Dill and Garon Wilkinson are the most experienced members of the Pacers team, Donawa being the only athlete competing in the 17-18 age group. He will run the 1500 and 5,000 metres while Cann will enter the 100 and 200 metres in the girls 15-16 age group, Dill the 400 and 800 metres in the same age group and Wilkinson the 15-16 boys 1500 and 5,000 metres.

Also returning to the Island from another trip and heading straight back out are twins Nasir and Nadir Wade who were in Minnesota playing in a soccer tournament. Nasir will run in the 800 and 1500 metres and long jump and Nadir the 100, 200 and long jump.

The Pacers, who along with a Japanese team are the only non-US representatives , will compete in 60 individual events as well as the 11-12 4x400 metre relay.

"We give it an international flavour,'' said coach Cal Simons, who will be making his 13th appearance at the meet. "The other teams are from the east coast and surrounding areas.'' The most medals the Pacers have brought back from the Invitationals is 17 and Simons, who will share coaching duties with Gregory Simons and Sonya Showers, is confident there will be more success this time.

"Quite a few of the kids should perform PBs,'' he said.

"As well as Mikey Donawa and Gina Cann we also expect good performances from Nasir Wade in the 800 and 1500 metres and long jump, and Delmari Scott, who won a silver medal in high jump last year. Hopefully he can equal that or do better this year.

"Also, there is Tamara Olden in the eight and under girls (100 and 400 metres) and Danielle Watson in the nine to 10 girls, 100 and 200 metres and long jump.'' More importantly, Simons says the exposure gained will help stand the athletes in good stead for years to come. Of the 26 members, 12 are making their debut at the Invitationals.

"The exposure is one of the reasons we go,'' he insisted. "Otherwise they would have to wait to go to Carifta. The exposure they get in this age group means that when they go to Carifta they are better prepared.

"I expect the team to do well. We've been training all year and many have five or six track meets already under their belts.'' The youngsters will also be accompanied by club president Alfie Eve and executives Dawn Watson and Donna Simmons who will act as chaperones.

Squad (with events: Eight and under boys: *Edmeiko Brangman (100, 400 metres) Eight and under girls: *Tamara Olden (100, 400 metres); *Nandi Davis (100, 400 metres) 9-10 boys: *Shane Morrissey (800, 1500, long jump); *Zikomo Simmons (800, 1500, long jump); *Antonio Lowe (100, 200, long jump) 9-10 girls: *Danielle Watson (100, 200, long jump); Donneka Simmons (100, 400, long jump); *Timika Olden (100, 400, long jump); *Chalica Henry (400 metres, long jump) 11-12 girls: *Janea Dillas (800, 1500 metres); Shimika Telford (400 metres, high jump) 11-12 boys: Nadir Wade (100, 200 metres, long jump); Nasir Wade (800, 1500 metres, long jump); Richard Walcott (800, 1500 metres); Delmari Scott (400 metres, long jump, high jump) 13-14 boys: Jelani Scott (800 metres, long jump) 13-14 girls: Patrina Swan (400, 800 metres); Saadia Savory (100, 200 metres); Tiffany Scraders (100, 200 metres, long jump) 15-16 boys: Garon Wilkinson (1500, 5,000 metres); *Calvert Lee (1500, 5,000 metres); Tariq Hewey (100, 200 metres, long jump) 15-16 girls: Gina Cann (100, 200 metres); Jarita Dill (400, 800 metres) 17-18 boys: Michael Donawa (1500, 5,000 metres) Relay team: 11-12 boys 4x400 metres -- Nasir Wade, Nadir Wade, Delmari Scott, Richard Walcott.

* -- making first appearance.

PACESETTERS -- Members of the Bermuda Pacers track team who will compete at the East Coast Invitationals this weekend in Maryland: Back row (left to right): Delmari Scott, Patrina Swan, Tiffany Scraders, Shimika Telford, Jarita Dill, Saadia Savory, Gina Cann, Calvert Lee, Garon Wilkinson, Tariq Hewey, Jelani Scott, Richard Walcott. Front row: Shane Morrissey, Zikomo Simmons, Edmeiko Brangman, Tamara Olden, Donneka Simmons, Janea Dillas, Tamika Olden, Nandi Davis, Kristen Eve, Danielle Watson. Missing are Michael Donawa, Nasir and Nadir Wade, Antonio Lowe and Chalica Henry.