Entering Hayward Field For State Meet 'Terrifyingly Amazing'

By Joe Zochert for DyeStat

For the first time in four years the OSAA State Track and Field Championships were back in Eugene as many in the state's high school community got a first taste of the new Hayward Field.

Stadium renovations and the COVID-19 pandemic caused the OSAA to either move or cancel the last past three state meets

Phoenix seniors Sophia Stubblefield and Elwood Hosking, the winners from the Class 4A girls and boys 3,000 meters, respectively, said winning in Hayward Field felt special.

“It’s just a massive stadium,” said Stubblefield, who won with a personal-best 10:31.00.

“I remember going up to the start line and (thinking) it’s just so huge. It’s just terrifyingly amazing.”

Her teammate, Hosking, shared a similar sentiment about the atmosphere of Hayward compared to other venues that he has competed in.

“The atmosphere is different. You get chills the first time you walk in the stadium to be honest. It’s incredible,” Hosking said. 

He highlighted how the populated grandstands make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“There’s always someone cheering at every corner. It’s loud. It’s fast. I’ts just a fun environment," Hosking said. “There’s so many other fellow runners and parents that are cheering, it’s awesome.”

However, some who have been a part of the state meet for a long time still prefer the previous Hayward for watching races.

Coach Phillip O’Reilly from Cove thinks that the new stands take away from the unique energy from the old stadium as fans can no longer stand at the edge of the entire track.

“The stands at the finish line seemed to be a bit louder at the old Hayward,” O’Reilly said. “I think part of it was because they were compressed up against the track, so that seemed to energize runners more.”

O’Reilly still believes the new place is cool, too. He believes that the upgrade in the training facilites could help inspire high school athletes to continue their athletic career to the collegiate level. 

“I think it gives the kids something to think about like, ‘Wow, you can come to a college program and their facilities are so much nicer (than high school)’. I think it’s good that they are able to come here and see that,” O’Reilly said.

Even with the changes, many still see competing at Hayward as one of the greatest experiences for any track and field athlete. Crosshill Christian coach Matt Gille still cherishes his memories of Hayward Field as both an athlete and a coach.

“I've changed a little bit of my perspective because I don’t get to compete on the track,” said Gille, who was the 2016 1A boys state champion in the javelin. “But as a coach, I feel equally excited for the kids and their opportunity to get to compete in such an impressive facility.”

St. Stephens’ head coach, Tim Tsuei, said the new version of Hayward surpassed his expectations the moment he walked through the gate. He had paid close attention to the construction videos over the past couple of years.

He told his athletes how rare of a privilege it is to be competing on this legendary track and share the facilities that will be used for the World Athletics Championships in July.

“I’ve been telling the kids that they’re going to see that in the summer at the World Championships,” Tsuei said. “They’re going to see that we get to walk where the professional athletes get walk and how special that is.” 

One of Tsuei’s athletes, Colin Friend, got to experience Hayward for the very first time at the Oregon Relays in April. He won the Class 1A 1,500 meters and also broke a 1A record in the 3,000 meters.

“It was a very special experience compared to a normal meet. You got these stands wrapping around the track,” said Friend, who will be running for Duke University next year. “It almost feels like a football stadium. It’s a crazy, special experience.”