Track and Field: New track saved for next year

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - This was supposed to be the year for celebration for

the Orange Coast College men’s and women’s track teams mostly because of

a new track course at Coast.

Celebration might still be coming for the Pirates as they are

undefeated, but the track will have to wait until next season.

OCC Interim Athletic Director Fred Hokanson, who was last year’s track

and field coach, said the Pirates will not host a meet this season

because the course is not sufficiently finished.

The track should be repaired and ready in roughly a month, Hokanson

said, but OCC does not host any other meets. Next year, the Pirates will

host the Orange Empire Conference finals.

Hokanson said, the course was thought to be completed on time for a

meet Feb. 9, but a surveyor discovered the course was approximately one

foot too long for the required 400 meters.

“The key is to fix (the track) so they don’t have to tear it up,” said

Hokanson.

Coach Gordie Fitzel explained the course is unsafe because it does not

have ample space between the inside lane and the edge of the track

leading to the infield.

Estancia High cross country Coach Charlie Appell was aware of the

track condition at Coast and said there hasn’t been any construction

because of the weather. He said the Eagles’ Pacific Coast League dual

meet against Costa Mesa will be at Estancia if the track is not ready.