A delegation from the city is Des Moines is headed for Eugene, Oregon this week for the U.S. Track and Field National Championships. Drake University will host the event next year. Drake assistant A.D. Mark Kostek says they’ll look at all the events surrounding the meet as well as the operation of the meet.
Kostek says there are a lot of things that go into hosting the national championships beyond just running the meet. He says there are receptions you have to host to take care of U.S. Track and Field’s corporate sponsors, fun zones for families and kids, and receptions for the athletes.
Kostek says the U.S. Championship is a five-day meet similar to the Olympic trials in an Olympic year. He says they will host the junior championships along with the senior championships. Kostek says it is the top track meet in the country during non-Olympic years. He says it’s a world class event and the best meet in the United States.
Drake hosted the NCAA Championships in 2008.