Fox Cities News

The University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh's track and field program is set to host its first home meet in more than a decade. This marks the debut of their newly resurfaced track at Titan Stadium, an addition that aligns with the Titans' reputation for national success. The UW-Oshkosh Titan Invitational will take place on April 11 and 12, following a $1.6 million track renovation project funded by student fees and donors.

“This new track will allow UWO to host meets and events that benefit the university and the entire community,” said Amy Albright, executive director of Discover Oshkosh, which contributed $100,000 to the project.

The renovated track features a high-performance surface from Beynon Sports, the same material used at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. “It’s a very high-grade, high-quality track surface,” said UWO track and field head coach Justin Kinseth. “The fact that we can now say our student-athletes are training and competing on a surface of that caliber is pretty exciting.”

Sophomore sprinter Nolan Milas expressed enthusiasm about the new track. “Oh, it was really nice. It’s nicer than any track I ran on in my high school career,” Milas stated. “Now that we know that it’s our home track, it’s a great feeling.”

UW-Oshkosh has endured budget constraints and pandemic delays to achieve this milestone. Darryl Sims, UW-Oshkosh vice chancellor and director of athletics, highlighted the program's resilience: “It says a lot about the program, it says a lot about the coaches, and it says a lot about the student-athletes.”

The facility upgrade has also drawn positive reactions for its unique look. “Most tracks are red; we wanted to be different,” Sims explained. “The gray with the white lanes really pops. Everyone who’s stepped on it or seen it has been blown away by how sharp it looks.”

The Titan Invitational this weekend represents a significant moment for the track program, which also anticipates hosting the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships on May 2-3. Sophomore decathlete Cavan Dobberstein shared his excitement, stating, “Having the opportunity to finally compete at home for an outdoor meet is an awesome feeling.”

This event will feature teams such as Carroll University, Lawrence University, Northern Michigan, Ripon College, and UW-Parkside. Attendees will have access to both field and track events, giving them a comprehensive view of the action.