Tiger track and field to host Alumni Open

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University track and field program will be hosting its first indoor track meet in the new DWU/Avera Sports and Wellness Complex on Saturday.

  DWU head track and field coach Derik Fossum has been working on bringing an indoor track meet to DWU for a couple years and on Saturday he will be able to witness his hard work pay off.

 "To be able to host a home meet is really special for us," Fossum said. "We are grateful for this opportunity and are looking forward to community members being able to be a part of the atmosphere at a college track meet right here at home. As an alumnus of DWU, it means a lot to me to be able to be involved in this process."

 A new twist to the track meet this year will be the addition of the Alumni Mile which is open to all alumni and community members free of charge. Fossum said it will be a 'fun-run' style event that gives alumni and community members the opportunity to race for time during a meet or just run the laps and enjoy the atmosphere. Check-in and registration will occur at the finish line at 11:15 a.m. Coach Ian Ames, who has been working with the track and field team for many years will be the honorary starter for the Alumni Mile.

 "I am hoping many people will be able to come back and witness this event and feel the momentum that is going on here at DWU," Fossum said. "We are very proud of this facility and are excited that we get to share it with the community and with the visiting teams. We have a lot of local athletes and many of the visiting schools do as well, so I am hopeful that we have a large and loud crowd. It is going to be a lot of fun and we will see some great performances as many of the top athletes in the GPAC will be competing."

 Schools that will be participating include: Dordt College, Northwestern College, Mount Marty College, Dakota State University, Briar Cliff University, Morningside University, University of Jamestown, Buena Vista University and Dakota Wesleyan.

 Admission for the event will be eight dollars for adults and three dollars for high school and college students with their ID card and free for DWU faculty, staff and students. President's Circle members will also have special seating and can RSVP at alumni@dwu.edu.

 "We couldn't be more excited to host the inaugural DWU Alumni Open on campus inside or new facility," said Jon Hart, director of athletics at DWU. "Nine teams will be showcasing a full-slate of running and field events throughout the day. This is a perfect way to celebrate our alumni, fans, current athletes and our new facility."