Attendance limits removed for state track and field

Published by editor on Tue, 05/18/2021 - 10:52am

Grundy Center's Caleb Kuiper hands the baton to Jensen Clapp during a race at the 2019 state track and field meet in Des Moines. Drake Stadium will open to full capacity for the 2021 state meet, removing attendance restrictions put in place earlier this month. (File photo)

By:

Jake Ryder

The Grundy Register

Drake Stadium will be open at full capacity for all three days of this week's Iowa High School State Track & Field Championships, the IHSAA and IGHSAU announced in a release on Tuesday morning.

“Throughout the pandemic, our number one priority for hosting athletic events has been the safety of our athletes, staff, spectators, and our community. In doing so, we have followed guidance from the CDC, the Iowa Department of Public Health, the Polk County Health Department, the NCAA, and our own administration,” Drake University athletic director Brian Hardin said. “Recently released CDC guidelines encouraged us to consult with these partners and revisit stadium capacity. We look forward to once again welcoming the best high school athletes our state has to offer to compete on the world-famous Blue Oval in front of all their family and friends who wish to attend.”

This announcement cancels planned capacity and seating restrictions that were put in place on May 4 that would have limited ticketing to two tickets per state-qualifying participant in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

The joint release strongly encourages all spectators to wear masks, especially in the concourses, concession stand lines and restrooms, especially those that are unvaccinated.

The Polk County Health Department will host a mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinic in the concourse of Drake Stadium all three days of the meet, administering the Pfizer vaccine to anyone ages 12 and up that wishes to receive one.

Tickets for general admission went on sale at noon on Tuesday, May 18, with all tickets sold through the previous two-per-qualifier method still valid for this week's sessions. Tickets can be purchased at iahsaa.org/tickets.

The meet schedule will remain as planned, with six sessions, including the usual Thursday/Friday schedule and Saturday split into the 2A/3A morning session and 1A/4A afternoon session. Drake Stadium will not be cleared between sessions.