New track allows Luther Track Team to run at home

Luther’s Carlson Stadium, home of Norse football and the Track and Field teams, is described in USA Weekend magazine as one of the four prettiest places in the United States to watch a football game. Whether it’s in the stands or from the Union, Luther offers a majestic view of the playing fi eld and the valley beyond, which makes Luther’s venue a prime place to watch a meet or game. The newly refurbished track adds to this aesthetic pleasure as well as the competitive aspect for the athletes.

The track is now a 13mm polyurethane track with rubber embedded in the surface layer, which is favorable to host top-quality meets. “The old track outlived its life expectancy and was peeling up,” Athletic Director Joe Thompson said. “You could lift up chunks of the track in many locations.”

The track was dedicated for use in honor of and through the generosity of the Roy and Hjalmar Carlson families. It was originally laid in the summer of 1987, lasting 23 seasons on the surface, including one re-surfacing 11 years ago. President Torgerson and the Board of Regents included this resurfacing project in the strategic plan about fi ve years ago.

“The old surface had numerous cracks, which made the track unsafe for competition and in some cases, even training,” Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Coach Jeff Wettach said.

The new royal blue color was a decision fully endorsed by President Torgerson and the Board of Regents, as well as Coach Wettach and the track teams.

“My fi rst impression upon seeing the completed project, was, wow, we have a fi rst class facility again!” Wettach said. “I love the appearance of the facility, and I love the quality of the surface.”

In addition to the color, two runways and sandpits for the long jump and triple jump were added to the venue.

“This allows us to be more effi cient when hosting meets, with the capability of running men’s and womens events on adjacent runways at the same time, without interrupting the pole vault event,” Wettach said.

Last season, the condition of the track prevented the Norse from hosting any meets in the spring, but this will no longer be a problem for Luther track and field. “Our team couldn’t be more excited about the new track,” sprinter Dani Meirick (‘12) said. “The new surface presents the possibility of a home meet—something we’re ready for.”

Norse fans and athletes eagerly await the upcoming track and fi eld season in 2010. “We are looking forward to reinstating the co-ed Norse Relays home meet Saturday April 10, 2010,” Coach Wettach said. “We also host Wartburg in our annual dual meet Thursday, May 6, 2010.”