CORVALLIS, Ore. (KMTR) - It's been a long time coming and Oregon State couldn't be more excited to host its first track meet in 25 years.
Not only will this be the Beavers' first home meet decades, it will also be the first meet on the school's brand new Whyte Track & Field Center.
The facility isn't finished yet. Head Track and Cross Country Coach Kelly Sullivan says they've only completed Phase One of the center. He says he never imagined of holding a meet there this soon, but with so much enthusiasm after the track was laid down they decided to go for it.
With the help of over seventy volunteer officials the meet will go on despite lack of grandstands, timing systems, scoreboards and other essentials, because so many people are working hard to make it happen.
"It's for people to come in here and look and go, hey you know, Oregon State's working really hard at this. Their administration, their staff, everyone is just putting a lot of time and effort into this,” says Sullivan.
He’s hoping when people see the state-of-the-art track in person and the passion of the crowd, they may want to help them finish the project.
After sixteen years without the sport, Sullivan started the women's distance program in 2004. Only OSU women and two football players will compete Saturday against University of Portland and Willamette University's full teams. The meet kicks off with javelin at 3:00 PM on Saturday.
This is just the beginning for OSU track revival. Phase Two will complete the facility, and Phase Three will reinstate the men's team. Coach Sullivan says all they're waiting for is a bit more funding.
