2 February 2024
MANHATTAN (KSNT) – K-State Track and Field hit the ground running for the first time in its brand new indoor complex.
It was once the original indoor football facility, but K-State Athletics announced the $12 million dollar project back in May of 2023.
The team had been practicing and competing in the more than 70-year-old Ahearn Fieldhouse for years. Thursday, Feb. 1 marks the first day fans and competitors were welcomed to the new venue.
“We loved Ahearn,” K-State Track and Field head coach Cliff Rovelto said. “It was a wonderful place to be, a lot of tradition and history, but it’s really nice to be in here. It’s a better training facility, you know, you train many more days than you compete.”
The Wildcats have been practicing in their new facility since December. High jumper Marcus Gilpi tells 27 News they’re already feeling right at home.
“We have, I’d say kind of an edge,” Gelpi said. “We’re used to the track and I’m just excited we have a facility like this that’s built for us.”
The indoor complex features a new eight-lane track, new spaces for throws and jumps, new purple surfacing and more state-of-the art features. Gelpi said seeing the new facility filled with fans and competitors for the very first time is beyond exciting.
“The atmosphere’s going to be a lot of fun,” Gelpi said. “I love jumping with a crowd. We can get the clap going, have a whole lot of fun, so that’s mostly why it’s exciting.”
The Austra Skujyte women’s pentathlon and the Steve Fritz men’s pentathlon runs Feb. 1 through Feb. 2., with the DeLoss Dodds Invitational beginning Feb. 2 and concluding on Feb. 3.
K-State track and field will host its final home indoor meet of the season, the Steve Miller Invitational, on Feb. 16.
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