Northwest Athletes And Coaches Wowed By New Facility In Spokane

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

They walked into something brand new Sunday and left ready to spread the word. 

The new Podium indoor track and field facility in Spokane is spectacular. 

The building opened to its first high school meet in its inaugural season, the Spokane High School Invitational Presented by Idaho Central Credit Union and perhaps caused a tectonic shift in the way prep track and field operates in the Northwest. 

MEET VIDEOS | INTERVIEWS | RESULTS | PHOTOS by Ken Martinez of @westcoastxc

Club teams from Hawaii and Alaska were on hand to compete alongside locals from Washington and additional travelers from Montana, Idaho, Oregon and California. 

They all got a first-hand look at a state-of-the-art facility with a 200-meter hyrdraulic track and all of the amenities to be considered one of the finest tracks in the U.S. 

"This is amazing," said Dave Turnbull, the head coach of the powerful Summit High program in Bend, Ore., who operates the off-season Mondo Track Club.

"We can talk about facilities, the hydraulic system, all of that stuff. Everything's great. But honestly, the thing that's impressing me the most is the number of volunteers they have here. They're teaching these folks how to do track meets here."

Sunday's scene at The Podium was filled with hundreds of high school athletes getting, in most cases, their first taste of an indoor meet. In a part of the country where opportunities to compete indoors in the winter are scarce, the prospect of a full winter schedule of meets could be a game-changer for the region.

The mere fact that it has opened in midst of heightened concerned over the pandemic was already a triumph. The largest annual indoor meet of the winter in the Northwest, the Simplot Games in Pocatello, Idaho, was forced to cancel for a second straight year.  

The coaches and athletes of the Boise, Idaho-based Idaho Dash, like so many others, marveled over the possibilities presented by The Podium as a wintertime destination. 

"It's incredible," Idaho Dash head coach James Honell said. "Quality for the kids. The warm-up area, the concessions, the stands, it's everything a track complex should be in this area."

The leaders of the Spokane Sports Commission and the team that has put the track operation together had been working for a day like this for years. 

"It's been quite a journey to get to this point," Spokane Sports Commission CEO Eric Sawyer said. "This project has been on our radar for going on 10 years. To see an idea that was literally written down on a napkin and then see it come together and have some of the top college programs on the West coast here, and now the high schools competing here, and soon the (USATF) Indoor nationals, it's just great to see it come together. 

"We have a lot to learn. Indoor track is new to us as a community and an organization, so every time we do an event we learn something new and figure out how we can do better."

There are a few things that need to be fixed. Out-of-bounds attempts in the weight throw require stronger containment than the current netting provides. 

The public address system is difficult to hear on the competition floor. 

Those things will get dialed in. 

The impression that the new facility made on the athletes was worth the wait. 

"It's definitely a different experience than I've ever had before, but a really good one," said Lily Jones of Portland's Rider Track Club, who won the girls 60-meter dash.

"I've made like five new friends today. You definitely feel close to everyone here because everyone works hard and is working toward the same goals."

Isaiah Davis of the Kistap Flyers (and Federal Way High in Washington) said the building reminds him of the track at Virginia Beach, where he traveled to in 2020. 

"I think (The Podium) opens up a lot of opportunities for kids who don't have (a place) to run," Davis said. 

Davis finished second in the 200 meters Sunday, third in the 60. 

Mia Brahe-Pedersen, a national outdoor finalist in the 100 and 200 from the Inner Circle Track Club (and Lake Oswego, Ore.), called the new facility "spectacular" and "really fancy," sentiments shared across the board.

"I think it will bring extra motivation," she said. "'Like, oh my gosh, we have access to this really cool place. It's an extra boost of confidence and drive."

Turnbull, for one, was sold after Day One. 

If the Podium fills out a high school schedule in 2022-23, count Mondo Track Club in. 

How many meets will a team from Bend, Oregon come to in Spokane between December and February?

"As many as we can," Turnbull said. "This is phenomenal. I'm sad that the Simplot Games isn't happening this year. We really wanted to go. The advantage here is you can use blocks and (wear) spikes. I'd love to see a high school championship here.

"You build it, we'll come. We'll come as many times as we can."