By TARA OWEN
News Editor
Northwestern breaks ground for a new practice track that will be located north of the Ranger soccer field on Thunderbird Street.
According to Dr. David Pecha, Northwestern’s Executive Vice President, the contract amount for the track is $388,500 with a portion of the cost covered by a private donation.
Derrick Young Jr., NWOSU men’s track and field head coach, said he is excited about the new track.
With 68 men on the cross country and track teams this year, he said he is looking forward to seeing how much this new track will benefit his athletes.
“A project like this not only benefits the university, but also the community itself,” Young said. “This is also another resource and facility for everyone as a whole.”
Jill Lancaster, Northwestern women’s track and field head coach, said she knows this new track will bring both the men and women’s teams to a new level, along with adding a new environment for the community.
“The community will have an opportunity to utilize this resource, at the end of the day we are all part of the Ranger family,” Lancaster said.
As this track will be standard length, it will only be four lanes wide. Therefore, Northwestern will be unable to host any track meets, as it is not a regulation track. However, the coaches and athletes said they are excited to practice on the new track.
“We are thankful for the administration at Northwestern and the community for investing in our students and their academic and athletic talents,” Lancaster said.
For men’s track athlete Michael Byers, this track will be the ideal practice spot along with accurate distance training.
“With this new track being put in, it will be an amazing place for me to practice for my block starters as well as corner work,” Byers said.
As this is the first year for Northwestern to have a men’s track team, Young said he is thankful to be a part of not only starting a men’s team, but now also being able to have his new team have a great place to practice.
Health and sports science major, Karlo Bogan, said he is happy to have a new track to practice on, but also to improve his training.
“We will benefit from this new track in the overall way we train,” Bogan said. “Being able to train on a quality track will help our overall health and help prevent injuries.”
Previously, the Northwestern track team was practicing at the Alva high school track. The college team shared the track and field with Alva middle school and Alva high school track and football teams. Young said he was appreciative of the Alva high school facilities, but is ready to put the new track to use.
“There’s something about having a place to call your own that makes such a difference,” Young said.
Northwestern’s track team is also looking forward to using this track as another advantage for recruitment purposes in the future.
According to Brad Franz, Northwestern’s athletic director, the projected completed date is the end of November.
