Community college track: OCC new track to open next week

COSTA MESA - Orange Coast College will show off its new track and

field complex with ceremonies that will take place on the Pirates’ first

home meet of the season, Thursday at 2 p.m.

Before competition of a three-way meet ensues, OCC will present a

finish-line-tape cutting ceremony of which college president Margaret

Gratton will do the honors.

OCC athletic director and former longtime track and field coach Fred

Hokanson will also be on hand as will first-year coach John Knox.

This season, the Pirates will host three meets, and their track will

be the home of the Orange Empire Conference preliminaries and finals.

Local high schools are slated to use the facilities, as the Golden

West League finals will take place there. Costa Mesa High and Estancia

will enter the Golden West League next year.

-- By Steve Virgen