Carson City will be front and center this weekend when it hosts the 2014 NIAA State Track & Field Championships at the Jim Frank Track Complex at Carson High School.
More than 1,000 athletes from four different classifications from around the state will be on hand for the two-day event which gets underway at 3 p.m. today. On Saturday, action begins at 8 a.m.
Robert Maw, Carson High track head coach, said this is the first time Carson has had an opportunity to host the prestigious event.
“For us, it’s a chance to show off the investment made on our track facility,” Maw said. “For other schools, it’s a chance to see the best (and only) nine-lane track in the state.
“We’d like to become the home to the state meet whenever it’s held in Northern Nevada. We believe we have the best facility, and we’re hoping other schools will feel the same way.”
The event figures to help the city out financially. Maw was told that approximately $1.1 million will be spent by fans coming in for the event, which includes gas, hotels, entertainment and meals.
Maw said there are no rooms to be had in Carson City, and most of the space in Minden has been sold out, too.
Despite the heavy rain of the past two days, Maw said the running surface is in excellent shape.
“The long jump, triple jump, high jump and pole vault (areas) we’ve blown off and they will be ready to go,” Maw said. “My only concern is the shot put ring. It was pretty wet on Thursday morning. We are going to acid wash it one more time.”
Carson High’s contingent is led by Corey Reid (high jump, 300 hurdles, 400 meters) and Madison Preston (high jump, long jump, triple jump).
Josilyn Daggs will compete in the 400 relay and 100 hurdles. ValerieSue Meyer is in the 400 meters and Athena Favero runs the 300 hurdles and the 400 relay. Eveline Delgado, Lauren Hudak, Jessie Balkwell and Alex Drozdoff comprise the 3200-meter relay team, and Dakota Baker is in the high jump. Asa Carter is entered in the triple jump. Meyer, Favero and Sahara Winder join Daggs in the 400 relay.
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and $3 for seniors 62 and older.