3 February 2024
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Washburn University is hosting one of its biggest indoor meets of the year, the ‘Washburn Open,’ this weekend.
There are 1,562 athletes who signed up to compete in the two-day event, marking what Washburn Athletics says is the largest number of athletes than any previous event. Athletics also says the 2,590 total entries is just shy of the highest number of entries in any event since Washburn began hosting back in 2021.
Cameron Babb, Washburn’s head track and field coach, tells 27 News there are roughly 50 schools from all over the country in attendance.
“Some schools bring a lot of kids, some schools bring four or five,” Babb said. “They still have to stay overnight and they’re still here for a few days and so they still get a good experience out of it, and they’re still using the track to warm up and coming in and getting a lot of good out of it.”
He says it takes a lot of effort to put the event on, but he’s excited schools recognize Washburn as a place where they can get good marks.
The Washburn Open, sponsored by Jefferson’s, runs Friday, Feb. 1 through Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Washburn Indoor Athletic Facility. The Ichabods return to their indoor facility for the Ichabod Invitational Feb. 9-10, before hosting a high school meet the following weekend.
Washburn will also play host for the MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships Feb. 23-25. The men and women’s track and field teams are currently both ranked No. 23 in the country.