On March 23rd OSU will be hosting its first track and field meet in 25 years!
The meet will take place at the brand new, Whyte Track and Field Center. This new facility is part of a two-phase initiative to bring track and field back to OSU. Phase 1 boasts an IAAF-certified Olympic-caliber surface, FieldTurf infield, nine-lane track, high jump aprons, long jump and triple jump runways, pole vault and javelin runways, shot put area throw sectors and dual discus rings. Phase 2, which will be built shortly, consists of the infrastructure needed to host meets.
The March 23rd meet will be between Oregon State, Portland and Willamette University. The meet will be split between OSU’s facility and Willamette’s facility.
OSU has a deep rooted history as a center for track and field. The last track and field event held at OSU consisted of the Crouser brothers: Mitch, an alternate on the 1984 US Olympic Team, Dean, a two-time NCAA champion in the discus and once in the 16-pound shot put and Brian who won two NCAA javelin titles and competed for Team USA in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics. As well as Lance Deal, a 1996 Olympic silver medalist that also competed in the 1988, 1992, and 2000 Summer Olympics. John McArdle was also at that meet and qualified for the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. Oregon State’s John Thomas also broke the school record when he threw 66.72m. The impressive roster of athletes also included Tim Bright, that represented the US in the decathlon at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics and the 1987 World Championships. He won the American national championships in decathlon in 1987. He also became American champion in pole vault in 1991 and 1992 and competed in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics for Team USA.
The March 23rd event will be free of charge and we hope to see you all out there!
KK
