KING CITY >> In an era where coaches have an abundance of track and field invitationals to choose from each weekend, decisions are often dictated by distances and competition.

Cost-cutting measures aside, venues play a role, and athletes begin to hit their stride. Competition is critical when chasing time and marks, as the league finals are less than a month away.

What also can be tempting for coaches is competing at a facility athletes with expectations of extending their seasons into mid-May will see again down the road.

The 80th running of the King City Invitational offers just that this Saturday, as it will also be the hosts to the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Master Meet on May 9 — a qualifier for the Central Coast Section trials.

Yet, King City head coach Ismael Rocha wanted to dangle a bigger carrot to create interest beyond one year, to lure schools from all over the state.

So Rocha brought back qualifying standards to enhance competition — taking the top 27 marks submitted — top 34 in the 1,600 and 3,200 — and verified on Athletics.net.

He also created a format where teams north of King City compete together for an overall combined boys’ and girls’ championship against programs south of King City.

“We wanted to build those connections from the southern section to see different competition,” Rocha said. “What we came up with was a North vs. South-type meet last year. It’s created a unique environment.”

While schools are still chasing team titles and athletes medals, there is a plaque given out based on the overall combined scores of schools from the south versus the north, with the south winning last spring.

“There was a lot of competition and support,” Rocha said. “Once the track meet starts, the Pacific Coast Athletic League was trying to stick together and pile up points. The coaches loved the idea.”

Once upon a time, there was no more prestigious invitational in the Central Coast Section when buses from more than 50 schools would fill the King City High parking lot for a day.

Rocha isn’t hiding his long term goal to make King City again a premier meet, where coaches and athletes will want to make the trip, taking advantage of a lightning-fast all-weather track, as well as favorable afternoon winds for throwers.

“We want to provide a highly competitive meet, see competition you normally don’t see,” Rocha said. “We’re pulling from five different counties this year, which is awesome.”

Some of the programs that will look to help the South defend their title include Arroyo Grande, Paso Robles, Lompoc, Avenal of the Central Valley and San Luis Obispo Academy.

The North’s firepower starts with defending Gabilan Division boys champion Palma, reigning Gabilan girls champion Hollister, along with Salinas and the host Mustangs.

“I felt like it worked out well last year,” Rocha said. “It’s different from other invitationals. I believe we are the only meet that requires qualifying standards in the CCS other than the Top 8 Meet.”

Rather than have qualifying marks, Rocha invites coaches to submit as many entries as they’d like by Tuesday, before it’s pared down to the top 27 marks by Thursday.

“All marks have to be verified,” Rocha said. “There is a link 48 hours before the meet to inform coaches which of their athletes are entered.”

There are no trials in the meet. Just three heats of nine for every event, except the 3,200. King City is one of the few track facilities remaining that offers nine lanes, along with Pacific Grove. Last year, two meet records were attained in the girls’ division.

“We are really south and some don’t see the worth in making the drive,” Rocha said. “But with schools from the south and central coast coming, we’re right down the middle. The goal is to grow this meet.”

What Rocha has created is conversation and interest in a meet that had fizzled in recent years. The format of the meet gets people’s attention. It also builds camaraderie — at least for an afternoon — among normal league rivals.

“We want people talking about it,” Rocha said. “With the format, it will allow us to bring that high level of competition. We are still in the infant stages. We believe if you build it correctly, teams will come.”