Aug. 8, 2012
SEATTLE - While work continues on the new Washington outdoor track facility, the Huskies have firmed up the dates for the 2013 indoor track and field season in the cozy confines of the Dempsey. One of the premier destinations for indoor track in the NCAA, the Dempsey is holding to its standard six-meet slate beginning in mid-January. A number of Olympians currently competing in London have seen action in the Dempsey over recent seasons. During the most recent season, Sally Kipyego of the Oregon Track Club broke the Dempsey records at 3,000-meters and the mile run, edging UW's NCAA Champion Katie Flood in that mile race. Kipyego just recently won the silver medal for Kenya in the 10,000-meter run in London. High jumper Brigetta Barrett and shot putter Julie Labonte also broke Dempsey records in 2012, and are now in the Olympics for the USA and Canada, respectively. Additional Dempsey records on the men's side belong to 2012 Olympians such as Ryan Bailey (200m record; competing for USA), Andrew Wheating (800m; USA), Chris Thompson (5000m; Great Britain), Nick Symmonds (DMR; USA), Jesse Williams (high jump; USA), Ryan Whiting (shot put; USA), and Ashton Eaton (heptathlon; USA). Women facility record-holders include current Olympians Geena Gall (800m record; competing for USA), Jenny Simpson (5,000m; USA), and Brianne Theisen (Pentathlon; Canada). The indoor season kicks off with the UW Indoor Preview on January 12. Two weeks later comes the UW Invitational, on Friday-Saturday, Jan. 25-26. Another two-day meet, the Husky Classic, arrives on Feb. 8-9. The day after the Husky Classic is the UW Indoor Open on Feb. 10. The MPSF Championships, the indoor conference meet for the West Coast's best teams, is set for Feb. 22-23. Completing the schedule is the UW Final Qualifier on Mar. 2. The 2013 NCAA Indoor Championships will be hosted by the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville on Mar. 9-10. Detailed entry procedures for the UW indoor meets will be available later this fall on GoHuskies.com. |
