New track raises questions

by Paul Shugar
Staff Writer

The Ohio track and field teams will use the new GoldsBerry Track this spring, but the teams will lose some of the conveniences of the old track in Peden Stadium.

The old track has been removed; and a new state-of-the-art, rubber track has been built around AstroTurf Field because the stadium is being renovated.

The main problem with the new track is that the track team is no longer near the locker rooms and training staff that were located in the stadium, coach Elmore Banton said. The track team also has to run to The Convo to use the restrooms instead of stepping five steps off the track.

Banton said despite these problems, the Ohio track is similar to other track facilities in the Mid-American Conference.

"The main thing is that we don't have conveniences, and that is tough on the kids," he said. "It becomes a project to go see the trainer or go to the bathroom, but it is like that all over the MAC. In Akron you have to go two blocks to get to a bathroom."

Banton said some of the problems easily could be fixed. For example, the trainers could keep equipment in the garage on meet weekends to keep it close in case of injuries.

Sprinter Steve Schaub said the new track is an improvement, but the team will miss some advantages the stadium offered, such as protection from the sun.

"I like the old facility, but the new one is great and is probably as good or better than any other track in the MAC," he said. "It just needs improvements here and there."

Shelter from the elements could be an inconvenience of the new track, but Banton said the team will solve the problems of the sun and provide shelter from poor weather with tents in the infield.

The wind also could cause problems because the track no longer is sheltered by the stands of the stadium. Banton said this problem could be corrected using different starting lines for sprint events, so sprinters are not always running into the wind.

But the stands provided more than protection from the wind. The new track has considerably fewer seats than Peden Stadium, which could force some fans to stand. Banton said the team would deal with seating issues as they arise. Some possible solutions include adding tents or more stands.

Banton said the new track also has benefits the track at Peden did not, including having the throwing events close to the track.

"The best thing is that the throwers finally are a part of the team," Banton said. "I haven't really seen them throw in my 21 years of coaching."

Another positive feature of the new track is longer turns, which will make sprint races faster, Schaub said.

"They are a little longer so they should be faster since they are at a less of a angle," he said.

The new track allows Ohio to continue with its campaign of upgrading facilities. Possible plans to put a cover on the AstroTurf field and track to make an indoor arena for Ohio sports in the winter would be good for the track team.

"That would be awesome because every team on campus would benefit, not just us," Schaub said.

Despite the benefits of the new track, some team members miss the old one.

"I think I am just so use to the stadium that it is weird to come out," distance runner Jacki Waller said.