Preview ahead of NCAA Divion II 2019 event

Texas A&M Univeristy-Kingsville is hosting the NCAA Track and Field event this summer.
This event will contain all of the NCAA Division II schools and while TAMUK has hosted big events such as the Lone Star Conference it has never hosted an event of this magnitude.
While the event is still some time away, there are many plans and preparations that go along with it.
David Brock, operations and events coordinator/track and field home meet director said plans are coming along well.
“We are in constant contact with the NCAA as far as their requirements and questions they may have or we might have with them,” Brock said.
The requirements by the NCAA include such things as athlete and official housing, practice schedules, awards, signage, etc.
Brock is not the only one helping with preparations. Athletic Director Steve Roach, Senior Association Athletic Director Ruben Cantu, Head Track Coach Ryan Dall and the University Police Department are all part of different areas of preparation.
While putting together an event such as this can be hard work and stressful there is also excitement in having it in Kingsville.
“We’re excited about it; it’s going to be great for our university as well great for our community,” Ashley Alonso, an EC-12 major, said. “I think that’s pretty awesome, I mean to have the NCAA meet here and have that great exposure can only benefit not only the university but also the city.”
The Kingsville community takes pride in the university, so much so that some have offered to serve as volunteers.
“In the community we have a lot of volunteers that will be assisting us in many different areas from hospitality to actually helping with the events,” Brock said.
While hosting the event here at TAMUK there certainly will be high expectations for the track and field team, said Madeleine Maltais, a veteran thrower for the team.
“I think it will be a huge competitive advantage for those who get the opportunity to compete in the National meet here,” she said. “As we all know, Kingsville is very hot and humid. Our athletes have been working in these conditions all year and we know what to expect.”
Last year in the National Championship the men’s team won the meet so there certainly could be pressure on the team but Madeline said, “I don’t think added pressure is an issue; we compete at the highest level wherever we are.”