GRINNELL COLLEGE GEARING UP TO HOST 2012 NCAA DIVISION III INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Grinnell College Athletics

Grinnell, IA – Grinnell College will take center-stage on a national level in early March when the NCAA Division III National Indoor Track and Field Championships come to the Charles Benson Bear ’39 Recreation and Athletic Center Field House.

Approximately 500 athletes from around the nation will compete in the event, which will be contested Friday and Saturday, March 9-10. Additionally, the meet will draw another 1,000-plus visitors including coaches, officials, parents and fans.

“We are honored to be hosting this meet,” said Grinnell men’s track and field coach Will Freeman, who also serves as chair of the NCAA Track and Field/Cross Country Committee. “This event is obviously big for the College, but also the entire city of Grinnell and state of Iowa.”

In fact, Freeman said Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad is expected to attend the pre-meet banquet on Thursday, March 8.

The meet allows the College to showcase its state-of –art field house and track, which opened in 2010. 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.

“This facility was built with the hopes of hosting a national championship, so to be able to achieve that goal this quickly is great,” said Freeman. “This is a state-of-the-art, world-class facility and I think the coaches and athletes will love participating in it.

“This meet brings the rest of the country to Grinnell,” he continued “It’s not just a track championship, but a chance to showcase the College and entire community to many, many people.”