Drake University officials hope the upcoming U.S.A. Track and Field Championships will help them eventually land the U.S. Olympic Trials. Drake Stadium hosted the N.C.A.A. Championships back in 2008 and the event set an attendance record. Associate A.D. Mark Kostek says they hope for similar success with the U.S. championships.
Kostek says the community needs to turn out and show their support to give the athletes a great experience in front of full stands. He says when that happens, then the bid for the Olympic trials is better. Kostek expects a number of the competitors at the NCAA meet to take part in the U.S. Championships.
He says many of the winners or runner ups will enter the U.S.A. championships. The U.S. Championships will also feature a number of future Olympians in the junior division. Kostek says you have to be under 20 for the entire year, so usually it’s the college freshmen and high school seniors.
The meet runs June 23rd through the 27th at Drake Stadium.