High school indoor track and field athletes will conduct a subtle protest at meets across the state today, voicing their displeasure with a proposal, which if passed will not allow them to compete in New England championships in the future.

The protest, organized by Brewer cross country coach Glendon Rand, is in response to a proposal from the Maine Principals' Association Interscholastic Management Committee to help save money during tough economic times. The proposal would not only cut the number of regular season and out-of-season contests but also drop Maine teams and athletes from New England championships.

Some indoor track and field student-athletes, as well as coaches and parents, plan to walk a lap in protest before all meets today.

"This proposal won't save any money," Rand said of keeping track and field and cross country athletes from competing in New Englands. "It makes sense to look at ways to save money, and if we were spending huge amounts of money on New England events, then, yeah, this is an extra we can do without."

Rand said his team's booster club pays for most of the transportation to New England competitions. The school, he says, pays for the $15 entry fee.

"We're trying to make a difference," Mt. Blue junior Melody Lam said.

Colby College is hosting a Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference meet at 8:30 a.m. The University of Maine at Orono is hosting a Penobscot Valley Conference meet today as well.

"It's a semi-quasi protest if you will," Lawrence coach Tim Alberts said. "It's a show of solidarity."

Not everyone will participate, however.

Waterville coach Ian Wilson said his teams will not protest.

"We'll decline," Wilson said. "It puts the kids in an awkward position, and I'm not comfortable with putting kids in that position. It's asking kids to stand up to an administrative group that makes this sport possible. This is not a real simple issue."

MPA executives couldn't be reached Friday.

Aided by the use of online social networking and running sites, Rand quickly spread the word. Once Rand floated the idea of a protest, it didn't take long for the track community to mobilize.

"I've been impressed with the athletes," he said. "They got together pretty quickly on this. But track and cross country athletes socialize with other athletes on other teams. It was easy for them to generate ideas."

Lam and Rand said many student-athletes are making a variety of signs.

"We want several people holding signs," Lam said. "It's bringing us together as a running community."

Bill Stewart -- 623-3811, ext. 515

bstewart@centralmaine.com