Grinnell College has been chosen to host the 2012 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships.
The meet will be contested March 9-10 in Grinnell’s fieldhouse, which is part of the recently-dedicated Charles Benson Bear ’39 Recreation and Athletic Center. The six-lane, 200-meter track includes an eight-lane straightaway as well as runways for the triple jump, long jump, high jump and pole vault and shot put and weight throw areas.
Grinnell is no stranger to hosting national meets, having hosted the cross country championships in 1990 and again in 1993 as well as the swimming and diving championships in 1978.
“I’m thrilled that we’ll be hosting the 2012 Indoor Track and Field Championships,” said Grinnell men’s track and field coach Will Freeman. “Our new facility was built with the hopes of hosting a national championship, so to be able to achieve that goal this quickly is great. This is a state-of-the-art, world-class facility and I think the coaches and athletes will love participating in it.”
Freeman is excited to put the new fieldhouse on display for all to see. “The event brings the rest of the country to Grinnell,” he said. “It’s not just a track championship, but a chance to showcase the College and entire community to many, many people.”
According to Freeman, the meet will draw an estimated 450 competitors as well as more than a thousand spectators plus coaches and officials. “One thing that helped us get this is we’re able to offer the whole package,” said Freeman. “We have a fantastic facility, great campus and community involvement, central location, easy access to two airports, the ability to easily get in and out of town, and adequate hotel space between here and Newton.”
Grinnell Director of Athletics and Recreation Greg Wallace agrees with Freeman about the outstanding opportunity. “This is a perfect opportunity for us to show our new facility to the entire country,” said Wallace. “The selection of Grinnell goes hand-in-hand with other recently staged and announced regional and national championships in Iowa – all reflect great venues, great fan support, and a commitment to excellence exemplified by Grinnell and the other host institutions.”
