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June 1, 2009
Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, the location of the OHSAA state track
and field tournament since 2004.
State
Track and Field Meet Set to Get Underway
The 102nd
edition of the boys OHSAA state track and field tournament and the
35th annual girls OHSAA state track and field tournament are set to kick
off Friday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on the campus of the Ohio
State University. The boys tournament is the longest-running state
championship in Ohio, and the now combined boys and girls tournament features two days, six divisions and 34 events.
Beau Rugg,
tournament manager of the meet for nearly 20 years, sat down to talk
about the tradition of track and field in Ohio and the upcoming
state championships.
Q. Several
hundred schools and athletes will be competing for state titles this
weekend. How exciting is that for you?
A. It’s
incredibly exciting. It is one of the most fun track and field
events in the nation and it is a blast to be involved in the
festival-like atmosphere of the weekend. We have two days and six
divisions and it is action packed the whole time.
Q. Talk
about the coordination and logistics that go into planning an event
this size.
A. Our focus
in planning this event is on three main categories. First, the event
itself and getting information to athletes and coaches, getting the
athletes where they need to be at the right time, and coordinating
over 2,000 student workers and 90 officials. The second area is
getting fans parked and into the stadium quickly and safely. We have
had great cooperation with the Ohio State transportation department
and campus and city police to accomplish that goal. Last, we have to
make sure we are ready to make adjustments throughout the meet such
as weather issues, injuries and the overall flow of the meet.
Q. How nice
is it to have a facility like Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium to use
for the meet?
A. It is
really nice to have the meet in a stadium that is built for track.
It’s good for the athletes and the fans. Also, we have the
opportunity to use the surrounding facilities like the softball
field for team camps and the softball press box for media.
Q. The track
and field state tournament consistently sees about 25,000 in
attendance over the two days. Talk about the support this meet sees
around the state.
A. It is one
of the best attended in the nation. It helps to have the Jesse Owens
facility and that it is held in the middle of the state. High school
sports in general are so well supported in Ohio and they really
bring communities and families together.
### ohsaa.org ###
Contact Brian Day,
contact: bday@ohsaa.org |
