Huskies Take New Track For Test Drive
October 31, 2012 | Track & Field
Oct. 31, 2012
Photo Gallery From Workout Plus Track Construction
SEATTLE - A bit of history was made on Tuesday afternoon as the Husky cross country squads stepped onto the brand spanking new outdoor purple track surface for the first time, doing a workout on their still-in-progress new home. A steady rain came down throughout, but that could in no way dampen the spirits of the Husky runners and coaching staff out for a spin around the cushy new oval. Head Coach Greg Metcalf said, "It feels like Christmas."
The new outdoor facility, as yet without an official name, is still in progress, with the exterior fencing, landscaping and a lot of work still to be done around the entryway and on the infield. But the track itself is ready for a run. The surface was poured last month and all the lines were painted over the past couple weeks. The first meet at the facility is expected to be the dual meet against Washington State next May.
The teams went through some strides, ran some 200-meter repeats, and then did a series of mile repeats. Justine Johnson and Katie Flood led the way on the last mile test for the women, while Joey Bywater powered around to cross first for the men in the final mile, with a very unofficial first "facility record" of 4:12.
It's the type of workout that has taken the Huskies north to Nathan Hale High School over the past year since the old track was removed in the Husky Stadium renovation. Soon the Dawgs will be comfortable at home year-round, with the Dempsey Indoor just a few hundred yards south as well.
The Husky cross country teams are just coming off a solid showing at the Pac-12 Championships and are just over a week away from hosting the NCAA West Regional Championships at Jefferson Park Golf Course on Friday, Nov. 9.
Players Mentioned
