Retired Hall of Fame Garfield track and field coach John Bennett (center) cuts the ribbon to officially mark the opening of the James A. Garfield Track Complex. Garfield athletic director and throws coach Jim Pfleger stands to Bennett’s left and Garfield track and field coach Matt Pfleger stands at Bennett’s right.
Special to Portage Sports

By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The James A. Garfield Track and Field Complex is now official.

After 21 years without a home track meet, the G-Men cut the ribbon on the district’s new all-weather track last weekend in front of student-athletes, staff, alumni and community members.

The ceremony marked the return of track on the school’s campus.

“Today, this track belongs not just to our athletes, but to our entire Garfield community,” Superintendent Ted Lysiak said. “We are proud to make this beautiful facility available for everyone to enjoy for years and generations to come.”

The G-Men have remained one of the county’s consistent producers of state-level talent, despite the lack of a home track.

Since 1993, 95 G-Men have qualified for the state championship, with 75 podium finishes and 11 individual state championships.

Two of those state champions were part of the celebration last weekend, with four-time state champ Edith Svonavec (Class of 2015) and Paul Vincent (class of 1977) led the “G-Men Walk of Honor” as part of the celebration.

Another G-Men legend, retired 30-year teacher and Hall of Fame coach John Bennett, was given the honor of cutting the ribbon to officially mark the opening of the complex.

The track program has been using the track since last year, but there were still updates, including the installation of bleachers, that needed to be completed before it could be officially unveiled.

“It has been great having our own track,” athletic director Jim Pfleger said. “The kids have loved being back there and having their own place to train. In the past, we’ve had to run in the parking lot or borrow time at someone else’s facility. We’ve had nothing but great feedback from everyone who has been to the new facility.”

The district also recently announced that its signature middle-school track meet will be named in honor of longtime track coach Harry Kraft, whose family was in attendance last weekend. The meet will be known as “Harry Kraft Memorial Middle School Invitational” moving forward.

The ceremony concluded with senior Abby Seiler singing the National Anthem, which marked the beginning of the district’s first home meet in 21 years.

The space that the new all-weather track sits on was once a first horse track that was situated behind Paul’s Lumber, then transitioned to a cinder track that was constructed in 1967 and used through 2004.