Athletes rave about La Crosse’s new stadium
MCT REGIONAL NEWS
By John Casper Jr.
The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis.
(MCT)
Jun. 6--LA CROSSE -- The first winner at this year’s WIAA track and field state meet wasn’t a runner, jumper or thrower.
It was the stadium.
Fresh off a $16.6 million overhaul, Veterans Memorial Stadium sparkled in the hot sun Friday, the first of the two-day state meet.
“I was very impressed,” said former Boyceville coach Bud Gilbertson, who is serving as a starter at this year’s meet. “Very impressed.
”It’s just fantastic for the athletes. It’s awesome.“
Crews demolished the old stadium not long after last year’s state meet. The new stadium, which has the same name, offers increased seating capacity, a synthetic football playing surface, more restrooms, concession stands, modern locker rooms and a 10-lane track -- among other enhancements.
It drew rave reviews from many competitors.
”I love it,“ Ladysmith sprinter Scott Lee said. ”It’s awesome. I’ll remember the experience for the rest of my life.“
The first race in the new stadium was won by a local relay team. Chippewa Falls McDonell’s Adam Bleskachek, Jon Rider, Evin See and Grant Mickesh won the first of two heats in the 3,200-meter relay in 8 minutes, 19.36 seconds. Their time was good for fifth overall, earning each member of the foursome the first medals awarded at the meet.
”We really pushed ourselves,“ Mickesh said. ”It was awesome. The track had a bounce on it at the start. The whole start of the meet was awesome.“
The grandstand, which is double the size of the old structure, seats 6,200 comfortably. In years past the track announcer had to ask spectators to move closer together to accommodate overflowing crowds; no such announcements were made this year -- despite the fact that record crowds were expected.
”People were always walking across people, obstructing their view,“ Gilbertson said. ”Now, everyone is able to see the whole track.“
The long and triple jump were moved from pits adjacent to the stadium to inside the track, allowing those athletes to feel more like they’re part of the meet.
”I love this setup,“ said Altoona’s Jon Gillespie, who took home a medal after finishing sixth in the triple jump. ”Although looking up in those stands, that might make you nervous.“
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To see more of The Leader-Telegram or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.leadertelegram.com.
(c) 2009, The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
Jun 7, 2009 at 9:42 p.m.
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I, too, am curious why this would be interesting to Janesville readers.
Jun 6, 2009 at 6:11 p.m.
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That's just the way things seem to work around here.......
Jun 6, 2009 at 5:40 p.m.
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truthteller, please adjust your tinfoil hat -- the messages you are receiving are from the wrong station.
Jun 6, 2009 at 2:26 p.m.
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Monterey Stadium is pretty old too. Is this article just the first step.... Sort of like the Ice arena stuff?
Jun 6, 2009 at 12:38 p.m.
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Why does this "mean" anything? It's a new stadium. The old one was 70 years old. The University upgraded. It's a well-known facility in the state because of the track and field meet.
Jun 6, 2009 at 12:37 p.m.
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TT-this is not a high school facility - it's part of the UW-system. Maybe U-Rock is planning on building one.
Jun 6, 2009 at 10:27 a.m.
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Does this mean Janesville is going to build a new stadium too?
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