Local organizers say they want to pack Drake Stadium next month for the U.S.A. Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The meet, which runs June 19th through the 23rd will determine the qualifiers for the World Championships that will be held in Moscow in August.
Former Drake Relays director Mark Kostek is serving as competition manager and says a big crowd could help Des Moines attract an even bigger event down the road. “Our goal is to host the 2020 Olympic Trials. What we have to do, is we have to make a great call to the community. The community has to come out and support this event, because one of the things they want us to show them is how this championship looks on television,” Kostek says.
Kostek says if the state wants the trials they have to start now by coming to the event. He says it will be something that people “will probably never forget.” Kostek says it will be the most talented field that has ever competed at Drake Stadium.
“Besides having the U.S.A. Championship and the World Championship advancement, we also have the U.S.A. Junior Championship along with it,” Kostek says. He says that will bring the very best at all levels of track and field to Drake Stadium.
National events have become commonplace in Drake Stadium since it underwent a series of renovations seven years ago. He says they have hosted some type of national championship in each of those years and that should not be taken lightly.
The top three finishers in each event at next month’s meet will represent Team USA at the World Championships.