The 28th annual Royal Swim Invitational/Josh Mlakar Memorial Meet will take place Saturday at the Rancho Simi Community Park pool.

The event, one of the most prestigious and largest meets in all of Southern California, begins at 9 a.m. and runs throughout the day. It's free to attend.

According to Royal High swim and water polo coach Steve Snyder, close to 1,000 athletes from throughout the state are expected to compete. In past years, the meet has drawn outof-state swimmers, too.

"It's a great showcase for our team, our school and our community," Snyder said. "It's a source of pride for everyone."

Snyder said the event, dedicated to the memory of Mlakar, a standout student-athlete at Royal before he passed away from cancer during his junior year in the 1980s, caters to both advanced and novice swimmers.