Roseburg track & field scores deal on equipment from USA Outdoor Nationals

The USA Track and Field Outdoor Nationals are coming to Roseburg, at least in part.

Some of the equipment used by the country’s top track and field athletes will find a new home at Roseburg High School’s Finlay Field.

Starting blocks used in sprints and pads for the high jump and pole vault pits were purchased by RHS’s track and field program once they were done being used at the national meet on Sunday at Hayward Field in Eugene.

RHS head coach Nathan Eckman said he drove a U-Haul to Eugene and got the gear loaded up once the meet concluded.

“Having Track Town (USA) so close to us gives us so many opportunities, from kids getting to watch events, to kids being able to volunteer at events, to just being able to participate in incredible track meets. And then something like this comes up,” Eckman said.

“It’s kind of once in a lifetime to be able to get brand new high jump, pole vault (pads), brand new blocks,” Eckman said. “Literally, one of the blocks we were using, (Olympic gold medalist) Noah Lyles was filming a commercial on it and then they handed it over to us. So, super cool. Great energy for the kids.”

The equipment is just a week old, but came at a discounted price. Eckman said Jim Moyer, a former USATF Master Level pole vault official and former RHS track and field coach, helped facilitate Roseburg getting access to the equipment, which will help provide increased safety for high school athletes.

“The new pole vault pit is quite a bit bigger, so when kids come off of it in a weird direction, if you’re a brand new pole vaulter, it will just be a lot safer,” Eckman said.

The new gear will replace equipment that is 20 years old, in some cases, according to Eckman. He credited the support of sponsors, like Dale Farmer and his daughter Michelle from Champion Car Wash, with making this purchase possible.