LAKELAND, Fla. — A new chapter begins for the Southeastern University track program this weekend, as the Fire will host their first-ever home meet at the newly-renovated Tenoroc High School track. And it's not just any meet—it's the Sun Conference Championship, taking place this Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27.
The state-of-the-art, eight-lane track was designed to accommodate both high school and collegiate championship events. It will now serve as the official home for both the Southeastern University and Tenoroc High School track programs, marking the first time in program history that SEU Track & Field has had a place to call home.
The renovation project was a collaborative effort between Polk County Athletic Director Dan Talbot, and Southeastern University Director of Athletics Drew Watson. Their partnership was recognized with the prestigious Bernie Little Sports Executive of the Year Award, honoring their dedication to advancing athletic infrastructure in the region.
"I want to thank our president, Dr. Kent Ingle, and the administration at SEU for their support of this project" said Watson. "I am so happy for coach Nick Dodson and our student-athletes, who now have a home facility, and am thankful for their efforts to build a championship program the last six years despite the challenges. They are truly amazing. I am also thankful for Dan Talbot and the Polk County school board for working together with us on behalf of Polk County and SEU student-athletes to build something special for them. We look forward to years of making great memories on the track at Tenoroc."
The idea for the partnership was born in June 2022, with construction started in May 2024.
"Polk County Public Schools is thrilled to have partnered with Southeastern University to build a quality track facility that will benefit students-athletes at both schools as well as our community," said Talbot. "This collaboration represents our shared commitment to providing exceptional athletic opportunities and fostering a spirit of excellence and teamwork."
Now in their seventh season, the Fire track and field program has established a championship pedigree, winning all five Sun Conference outdoor titles since launching in 2018. The 2019–20 championship was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"God doesn't always come when we call, but he is always on-time," said Dodson. "What a blessing it is to be able to host our first ever track meet and for it to be the Sun Conference Outdoor Championships. I want to thank our president, Dr. Kent Ingle, our athletic director, Drew Watson and all of our administration at SEU. Providing a place to call home for our student-athletes is a blessing. This is icing on the cake and I'm so happy for our alumni and current student-athletes, as everyone played a role in this dream becoming a reality."
Competition on Saturday begins at 7:00 a.m. with the women's 10,000-meter run and continues throughout the day until 4:30 p.m. Events resume on Sunday at 8:00 a.m., with the championship awards ceremony scheduled for approximately 5:00 p.m.
Tickets can only be purchased online or via a mobile app and parking is free. Click here for more information.
