Standing by tradition, ASU takes the opportunity on Saturday to open is doors to the entire state of Arizona.
The ASU track and field program does its part when it hosts its signature event with the 32nd Sun Angel Classic at Sun Angel Stadium. Normal NCAA competitions take place in the traditional Friday-Saturday schedule, but for the second consecutive year, over 1,500 high school athletes from all around the state competed on Thursday and will return on Saturday for their final heats.
“For us, it’s an opportunity to give back to the community,” ASU coach Greg Kraft said. “It’s really just to give back the chance. There are a large percentage of these kids that are still in high school because of athletics and their coaches.”
Kraft praised the teaching values of athletics and also explained the importance of opening ASU to the state’s athletes.
“It’s a great opportunity for those kids to see athletes we have from different parts the state,” Kraft said. “From Yuma, Winslow, the reservations, these kids have opportunities to come to school because of athletics. I think so many people miss what a great vehicle athletics are to our society, and it’s an integral part to our education system.”
For the athletes already in the ASU vehicle, they want to have a big outing in their signature event.
“This will be our last really big home meet,” redshirt sophomore Jordan Clarke said.
Clarke is confident and is looking to put small improvements onto his marks.
“I’m ready for a [personal record] in the hammer, Clarke said. “I’m ready to go at least 200 feet on Friday. So that’ll be a one-foot PR. It’s not a huge PR, but it’s a step forward.”
Clarke’s quest for that personal record may be soured on by the weekend forecast, but Kraft and his staff are ready to work around that and spin it to a positive.
“For us, it’s going to be a little different test, because we’re looking at cold weather and rain,” Kraft said. “The NCAAs are going to be in Des Moines, Iowa. They were up in Oregon last year and we had a rain delay there. We get a little spoiled here with the weather, so we have to learn how to manage that weather.”
The rain may cancel some of the field events, like the pole vault and hammer throw events on Friday. The running events will still be run, but some athletes may be held out based on the risk.
“You just have to be prudent and keep your eye on the ultimate prize,” Kraft said. “There will be some decisions we make with certain athletes depending on the weather and how far we go.”
Reach the reporter at zcavanag@asu.edu
