Championship Venues Selected for Cross Country, Track and Field, Wrestling
Columbia, Mo.-
The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Board of Directors reviewed proposals for six championship sites at its annual
November meeting. After consideration, the Board accepted proposals for three venues- cross country, wrestling and track & field. The Board
will have further discussions on the proposals for the football; speech, debate & theatre; and volleyball championships at its annual
January meeting.
Cross Country
On Wednesday, the Board considered proposals from the Columbia Parks & Recreation Department in cooperation with the Columbia Convention
and Visitors Bureau; the Joplin Sports Authority in cooperation with Missouri Southern State University; as well as the City of Jefferson
Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry in cooperation with the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau. The MSHSAA staff conducted
with site visits of all three proposed facilities in order to provide as much information to the Board as possible. After consideration,
the Board unanimously selected Columbia’s proposal using the new course being built at the Gans Creek Recreation Area. This five year
agreement will begin with the 2019 championships.
Track & Field
The Board also considered two proposals to host the Track and Field Championships. The Jefferson City Public Schools in cooperation
with the Jefferson City CVB proposed using Adkins Stadium and Licklider Track to host the championships. The Joplin Sports Authority
with the help of MSSU proposed using Fred Hughes Stadium as the championships venue. Following discussion comparing the two sites and
locations, the Board unanimously chose the proposal from Jefferson City.
Wrestling
The University of Missouri and the Columbia CVB also offered a proposal to host the wrestling championships in Mizzou Arena. This has been
the championship site for wrestling since 2006 after the Hearnes Center hosted the event for 32 years.