The last time Hayward Field hosted a track meet was June 2018, when the NCAA championships were contested in Eugene for the sixth consecutive year. Demolition of original Hayward and construction of the new stadium started weeks later, with the goal to be complete for the 2020 Olympic Trials and, eventually, the 2021 World Athletics Championships.
Hayward Field was ready, just in time for a global pandemic to cancel everything.
And now athletes from 18 college teams are in Eugene to compete Friday and Saturday, April 2 and 3, in the Hayward Premiere, the first meet in the new stadium, which is track and field-specific, reportedly cost more than $200 million and is, by all accounts, state of the art.
“I wish there was some cameras there to film each team as they drive up,” Oregon coach Robert Johnson said. “Because their mouths are going to drop and open.”
The meet, which Johnson said was approved by the Lane County Health Department only eight to 10 days ago, features teams from BYU, Boise State, Arkansas, Iowa State, Utah, Tulsa, Southern Utah, Washington State, Weber State, Wichita State, New Mexico, Colorado, Portland State, Oklahoma State and, of course, Oregon.
“The lights are gonna go on here,” Johnson said, “and you’re going to run a race that matters.”
Here’s what you need to know:
WHO TO WATCH
Four athletes who won NCAA titles in March are entered, along with one other NCAA champion:
- Cole Hocker of Oregon, who doubled in the mile and the 3,000 meters at NCAA indoors. He’s entered in the 1,500 and 5,000 meters.
- Courtney Wayment of BYU, who doubled in the distance medley relay and the 3,000 meters at NCAA indoors. She’s entered in four events: the 800, 1,500, the 5,000 and the 3,000 steeplechase.
- Conner Mantz of BYU, who won the men’s cross country championship. He’s entered in the 5,000 and 10,000.
- Wesley Kiptoo of Iowa State, who won the 5,000 meters at NCAA indoors. He’s entered in the 10,000.
- Edwin Kurgat of Iowa State, who won the 2019 cross country title. Like his teammate, he’s entered in the 10,000.
HOW TO WATCH
The Hayward Premiere will be live streamed free on DyeStat.
Friday’s schedule starts with the men’s hammer at 3 p.m. Pacific time with track events starting at 5:30 p.m. with heats of the women’s 1,500 meters. Saturday starts with the women’s discus at 12:15 p.m., with track events starting at 1:05 p.m.
Click here for the complete schedule, and here for the entry sheets.
