Fayetteville athletic director Barry Gebhart said the school’s new track was designed to not only host state meets, but regional and national competition as well.
The first opportunity is on the way as the Arkansas Activities Association awarded Fayetteville the host rights to the state high school decathlon and heptathlon, which takes place May 15-16. The AAA announced the sites for 2013 state and regional tournaments during Thursday’s meeting in North Little Rock.
“It’s going to be as nice as any in the state when done,” Gebhart said. “We’ll have bleacher seating for 750 people, and we’re excited about having it.”
The decathlon and heptathlon, which comes to Northwest Arkansas for the first time, is just one of several events that will come to area schools this year. Fayetteville also earned the Class 7A state basketball tournament, while the University of Arkansas will host the state finals for soccer, softball and baseball in May.
“We’re tickled to death about the Class 7A basketball tourney,” Gebhart said. “We have a facility that is one of the best in the state, and we want to show it off.
“Our desire is to have the best teams come to Fayetteville and make it a first-class experience for fans, teams and media as well.”
Meanwhile, Rogers and Springdale earned the rights to host the Class 7A state baseball and softball tournaments, respectively. All three 7A/6A-West Conference schools ran unopposed in their bids.
“We’re excited about this opportunity to be a host,” said Rogers athletic director Mark Holderbaum. “The city of Rogers have upgraded the facility and have provided us with a couple of fields. It’s time to showcase them, and I’m hoping we can have a couple of quality teams that can earn the right to play at home.”
Two area schools had to edge their competition in their bids to host tournaments. Farmington beat out Harrison to earn the rights to host the Class 4A North Region baseball and softball tournaments, while Greenland knocked off other schools to take Class 3A Region 1 baseball and softball tournaments.
Meanwhile, Lincoln was unsuccessful in its attempt to host the Class 4A state basketball tournament. That event drew the most interest, with six schools vying to be the host, and Cave City was named the host.
Lincoln athletic director Deon Birkes thought his school and Maumelle — which earned the Class 4A North Region basketball tournament — were considered the front-runners. Both schools had new facilities and had never been a state host before, while Cave City is a return host.
“We should have them on a rotation basis,” Birkes said. “I thought as far as location goes, they go on which schools haven’t hosted it before. We haven’t had it, and Cave City had it not too long ago.”
One event of local interest still needs a host site. The Class 7A state track and field meet, which was supposed to go to a Central school, didn’t receive a bid and is open for the taking.