Field gives students reason to cheer
After more than a year of renovation work, the complex, including the FieldTurf and Mondotrack FTX, opened. The $485,000 field is well equipped to host an OSAA postseason event.
November 2, 2008 • Jesse Crowell
Filed under Featured, News
Storm students have waited two years for home field advantage and, this fall, have finally earned back the right.
In Jan. 2006, sinkholes opened on the field complex, forcing many of the fall and spring athletic squads to practice off campus.
The football and soccer teams were unable to practice on the field the past year.
But with the re-opening of the facility, including the installment of a turf football field and state of the art track, the Storm was finally ready to be home.
The frosh football team (4-0 in season play) christened our field, the only turf field in Eastern Oregon, with a 24-0 win over Churchill.
The varsity football team followed an hour later, but fell to 0-2 in non-conference play with a 35-21 loss to Churchill.
“The fans were really into the game,” said senior receiver and defensive back Matson Hardie. “We were able to come out of the locker room and feel the energy of the crowd.”
Students packed the stands and the feeling of finally being at home was prevalent among players and coaches.
“We wanted to open up the new field with a win,” said junior cornerback Cody Absalon. “But having a field to practice on that’s near our school and not having to travel for each game is a big relief.”
After more than a year of renovation work, the complex, along with the FieldTurf and Mondotrack FTX, tallied a total cost of more than $8 million.
The $485,000 field will be used for games and practice because the turf does not experience wear and tear. The players will be able to use the same cleats on the artificial grass as they do on real grass.
Along with permanent yard lines and markings on the field, the field is well equipped to host an OSAA postseason event.
“I would not hesitate to place a semifinal game at Summit if two schools chose to play there instead of the Willamette Valley,” said OSAA Asst. Executive Director Brad Garrett in an interview with the Bend Bulletin
You can’t find a facility better than Summit High School with synthetic surface. It’s great that [Summit’s field] gives us another possible option.” Said Along with the excitement about the football field, the highly advanced Mondotrack FTX is also creating a buzz among the athletes and coaches.
“Mondo gave us a free upgrade,” said Head track coach Dave Turnbull in a conversation with Beau Estes of the Bend Bulletin. “We’re just so happy to have a track like this in Oregon.”
With all the excitement surrounding the grand opening of the new complex, there have also been some issues involving the fields that were previously overlooked by fans.
One of the most obvious topics is the grandstand’s new direction. With the change the spectators now face west and are forced to fight the sun for the beginning games.
“The Oregon sun setting over the western horizon can pose a dilemma when trying spectate our boys fighting their hearts out,” said one frustrated spectator.
Even with some minor complaints, the excitement of the new complex overshadows any flaws in design.
The Storm’s athletes and coaches are very excited to be home for their respective seasons for the first time in two years.
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