OSAA Will Pause Long Run At Hayward Field, Still Working On Options for 2019-2020

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The Oregon high school track and field championships, long an anchor on the Hayward Field calendar, is one of the biggest events that will be displaced by the demolition and reconstruction of the University of Oregon's track facility over the next two years. 

In years where there are no Olympic Trials, the state meet is one of the largest and best attended meets of the year, with crowds that are comparable to an NCAA Championships or Prefontaine Classic. 

WEBCAST INFO

The OSAA Championships have enjoyed a long successful run at Hayward Field. The largest boys schools have competed there every year but one since 1972. The girls have been at Hayward every year but once since 1975. (In 1978, the state meet was held at Springfield's Silke Field).

State meet director Brad Garrett, OSAA assistant executive director, said the formal plan for how to proceed with the state meet in 2019 and 2020 is still under review. 

This weekend's state championship meet will be the last to be held in front of the iconic East Grandstand, where dozens of schools have congregated annually for decades. 

"We have decided that we will be splitting up the classifications into three sites (6A/5A, 4A/3A, 2A/1A), but have not determined exactly what that looks like at this point," Garrett wrote in an email. "We have met with Summit HS, Western Oregon and Mt. Hood (Community College) at this point, but we ahve several other facilities to visit after the Championships this week."

All of the state track and field competition across six classifications has been held together at Hayward Field since 2013. 

The OSAA board adopted a two-year calendar at its May meeting and the 2019 state championships for 4A/3A and 2A/1A will go a week prior to the 6A/5A meet, which will move back to Memorial Day weekend. 

"The plan will be to review all potential placement options with the Executive Board in July at the Summer Workshop and be ready to let schools know at our fall administrative meetings in August," Garrett said. 

This week's state meet will, in some ways, mark the end of an era for the OSAA at "historic" Hayward Field, where talents like Galen Rupp, Ashton Eaton and Ryan Crouser began their rise to prominence. 

"The OSAA and its member schools are fortunate to have the opportunity to conduct the Championships at Hayward," Garrett said. "It will create new challenges to separate out the Championships into different venues until we can return, but I know the track and field community at large is willing to provide the support that the OSAA will need in order to provide the best experience possible for athletes, coaches, and spectators regardless of where the events are conducted.

"It is special when a Championship can include representation from every classification and geographic region all in one place – a celebration of the sport. The small schools and big school share the stage and support one another."

Garrett said more than the venue itself, he will miss his yearly interactions with the staff and meet officials in Eugene. 

"It is a pleasure to be able to work with both groups because they are top shelf in all respects – they care about the little things and that is important in such a large event," Garrett said.  "The secret to a great track meet is making sure the facility staff and officials are the best possible and we are incredibly lucky to have hit the jackpot in both areas."