Some clarity on the possibility of indoor track...

Washington's Dempsey Indoor
(UW Sports Information photo)

Here's some notes, as we begin to get some clarity on the prospects of a collegiate indoor season in this part of the country:

LOOKS LIKE THERE WILL BE INDOOR MEETS AT THE DEMPSEY, BUT NO MPSF CHAMPIONSHIPS

While the University of Washington hasn't officially announced it, according to the Pacific Northwest Track & Field officials' website, the Huskies will host indoor track & field meets at the Dempsey this winter.

According to their site, the UW will have a closed intrasquad meet this Saturday, and will open the season on January 29-30th with a dual meet against Washington State.

They'll host two invitational meets on February 12-13th, and February 26-27th.  

The latter invitational at the end of February replaces the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championships, as the MPSF, in consultation with the UW, state of Washington and King County health officials, deemed this season’s indoor track and field conference championship not viable, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It's our understanding that the size of the meets this season at the Dempsey will be significantly smaller than in previous seasons to promote social distancing and to conform to COVID-19 protocols established by the UW, the state and King County health authorities. As has been the case with all collegiate and professional sporting events in the state, no spectators will be allowed.

The MPSF release is available here.

NCAA ANNOUNCES 3 DAY SCHEDULE TO THE INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

The NCAA announced that the Division I indoor track & field championships will now be contested over three days instead of two, on March 11-13th, at the Randal Tyson Track Center on the campus of the University of Arkansas.

The men's and women's heptathlon/pentathlon and the weight throws will be held on Thursday the 11th.

The other major change in the time schedule is that for the most part, the men's and women's competition will be held in two sessions on the 12th and 13th, with the men competing in the early afternoon, and the women competing in the evening session.

At this point, no fans will be allowed to watch the championships. Additionally, there is a schedule in which athletes competing will be allowed inside the facility in order to maintain social distancing and COVID-19 protocols.

The revised meet schedule (subject to change) is available here.

OLIVIA GRUVER FEATURED IN TRACK & FIELD NEWS

Washington grad Olivia Gruver is featured in a piece on the Track & Field News website, where she talks about the transition from the collegiate ranks to the pro ranks, as well as the disappointment of the cancellation of the NCAA Indoor championship in Albuquerque, where she was a heavy favorite.

Gruver continues to train at the University of Washington under Husky associate head coach Toby Stevenson, and is still involved with the UW program as a volunteer assistant coach.

You can read the post here.

NOTE: The NCAA, Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, Track & Field News, Pacific Northwest Track & Field Officials, & the sports information office of the University of Washington contributed to this report.

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