University of Georgia Athletics
Road To The 2011 SEC Outdoor Championships
February 17, 2011 | Track & Field
Feb. 17, 2011
By Robert Carnes
This is the second installment in a series of features called "Road To The 2011 SEC Outdoor Championships". The Bulldogs will be hosting their first Southeastern Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships since 1999 at the Spec Towns Track in Athens, Ga., on May 12-15. UGA's track underwent a multi-million dollar renovation before the 2010 season in anticipation for this event and others.
The University of Georgia's "Spec" Towns track is a mixture of past and present.
Bearing the name of Bulldog legend Forrest "Spec" Towns represents a remembrance of the school's track and field history.
Towns won Olympic Gold in 1936, held the world record in the high hurdles and coached the Bulldogs for 37 years.
A $3 million renovation to the facility completed in 2010 marks a step towards the future of Georgia track and field. Besides an extensive track resurfacing, the changes include redesigned throwing and jumping lanes and an underground storm drainage system.
"The changes don't necessarily make the track any functionally better," said head coach Wayne Norton. "The difference is that it has become more aesthetically presentable. It's like a new pair of shoes. They won't necessarily let you run faster or jump higher, but will make you look better while doing those things."
These improvements come in preparation for an important event in the program's near future -- hosting the 2011 Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championship meet in May.
"Being home helps tremendously," said Norton. "Our runners get to be in more familiar settings for the whole weekend. Not traveling means one less distraction we have to worry about."
Originally constructed in 1964, Spec Towns Track has since undergone three previous face-lifts, though none as extensive and thorough as this. The last resurfacing happened back in 1999, which coincides with the last time Athens hosted the SEC championships.
"When your home facility is looking good and is one of the better ones out there, you feel better about representing your team on it and about having other teams come and compete on it," said junior sprinter Torrin Lawrence.
During his three years in Athens, Lawrence has already proven himself to be part of UGA lore. The Jacksonville, Fla., native holds the school indoor record for 400 meters and won the NCAA championship in the event in 2010.
"My favorite part of this new track is the curves," said Lawrence. " I'm not sure why, but I have liked this track's curves since I first ran on it."
One of the most appealing features of Spec Towns Track, unaffected by the remodel, is its location. Seated in the middle of the Vince Dooley athletic complex, the track is walking distance from Stegman Coliseum, Foley Field, the Butts-Mehre heritage hall, the Rankin Smith Academic Center and the Dan Magill Tennis complex.
Another unmeasurable element to the track is its home field advantage for Bulldog runners and field competitors.
"This place produces good marks," said Norton. "Something about its personality allows our student-athletes to give their best efforts. In the 20 years I've been here, we always seem to run better on this track."
Georgia hopes that this edge comes into play when they host the conference meet.
"We are looking forward to having the [SEC Championships] here since we will know the track well and will have an advantage over many of the other teams who haven't competed here," said Lawrence.
