Completed Event: Track and Field at Bryan Clay Invite on April 16, 2026 ,
Final
Track and Field
Bryan Clay Invite
Iowa State University Athletics
U.S. Coaches Love ISU Track
02.17.2009 | Track and Field
AMES, Iowa ? It is 1,470 miles from the campus of the University of Arizona to the Lied Recreation Center's Harry Hoak Track on the Iowa State campus. The fact that Arizona's track and field athletes were among the 1,200 athletes on 78 teams competing in last weekend's ISU Classic affirms the national status and one-of-a-kind setting that attracts teams from across the country.
“This track is truly unique in the world,” said Arizona track coach Fred Harvey. “We bring our elite athletes -- sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers and throwers to get ready for our conference meet. The track is a great place to qualify for the NCAA meet.”
The Harry Hoak Track's eight wide 300-meter lanes provide track and field athletes with softer turns. This is important to coaches and athletes who qualify for the NCAA Championship indoors by reaching set qualifying times and marks.
“I don't think there is a track in the world with the type of sloping wide turns that make this a great place to get qualifying marks,” Harvey said.
The track hosted its first meet in May of 1990 and the first Classic was contested in 1991. Since that start, Olympians and a long list of NCAA champions and All-Americans have graced the facility.
Florida throws coach Steve Lemke brought his athletes 1,267 miles to Ames.
“The atmosphere is great here,” Lemke said. “There is room. The throws are not stuck in some corner. People can sit and watch right in front of the event. The meet runs smooth.”
Vanderbilt assistant coach Clark Humphreys loves the competition.
“There are a lot of teams here from all over the country,” Humphreys said. “The races have strong fields.”
Utah head women's track and cross country coach Kyle Kepler knows the facility. He is from Webster City and ran track at Northern Iowa.
“The quality of competition is outstanding,” Kepler said. “In addition, there are a lot of heats or sections in each event that allow your athletes to compete against athletes close to their talent level.”
The meet is contested over three days, the first day reserved for multi-events. Its officials run it efficiently, which is important when you are running up to 20 sections of the 200 meters.
“We attract the best teams from all over the country,” Iowa State head coach Corey Ihmels said. “The facility and the way the meet is conducted have attracted teams to the Classic for a long time now.”
 Schools With Longest Journey to ISU Classic (in miles) | ||
|
Arizona |
1,470 | |
Drake Relays Elite 800m Preview
Wednesday, April 24
Track Replay: Big 12 Indoor_2022
Thursday, March 03
Cailie Logue Finish and Interview
Friday, February 25
REPLAY: 2021 Big 12 Outdoor Track Championships
Wednesday, May 19
