Since 2002, Ravenna Stadium has hosted the northeast Division II regional.
This year, thanks in part to renovations being done to Ravenna Stadium, that site has been moved.
It is the first year the D-II regional has moved since Kent hosted the site in 2001.
This year's regional is at Bedford Bearcat Stadium, where Bedford Athletic Director and D-II track and field regional tournament director Sean Jackson said their facility hosts two to three Ohio High School Athletic Association playoff football games each year.
However, this is the first time Bedford has hosted a district or regional track and field meet.
The spacious facility should accommodate the onlookers at this meet, a meet that had a vast lot at Ravenna Stadium.
"We have more than enough parking in front of the stadium, a church parking lot next door and Chanel across the street," Jackson said. "We also have a student parking lot on the south side of the school."
It is a similar set up to Ravenna as the discus and shot put areas are both behind the bleacher area. At Bedford, the discus and shot put are behind the visitors' side, while the ones at Ravenna were behind the home side.
There are three photos displaying the stadium at www.bedford.k12.oh.us/athleticsContent.aspx?cid=378.
Directions to Bedford High School are: (from Warren) Take U.S. Route 422 west to I-271 south. Take exit 26 for Rockside Road toward Bedford Heights. Turn right onto Rockside Road. Turn left onto Northfield Road. Bedford High School will be on the right. Or, (from Youngstown) take I-80 to I-76 toward Akron. Take exit 43 for state Route 14 west. Continue until road becomes I-480. Take exit 23 to merge onto state Route 14 with Fairoaks Road toward Broadway Ave/Forbes Road. Turn left onto Broadway Avenue. Slight left onto Union Street. Take the first right onto Northfield Road. Bedford High School will be on the left.
And as for the regional returning to Ravenna?
"It is more than likely that the D-II regional will stay at Bedford," Jackson said.
DIVISION I: The Division I Regional in Austintown is pretty big for Warren G. Harding's girls track and field team. Last season, Raiders had sixth-place finishes in the 4x100- and 4x200-meter relays. This season, both relays advanced to regionals. The 4x200 relay and Alexandra Allen in the 110 hurdles should advance to state. Now, can the 4x100 get there for a return trip to Columbus? Can Allen (300 hurdles) and Alexis Simpson in the 200 make regional finals and possibly get down to state. If so, this WGH girls team could make state stronger this season.
DIVISION II: Lakeview's Lauren Schattinger has been doing well in the 100 and 200 all season. Considering the hot weather, she shouldn't slow down. ... Can Cardinal Mooney keep flying in the boys 4x100 and 4x200? ... Can anyone catch Liberty's 4x400 team, which seems destined for Columbus and possible state gold? ... Niles' Darius Harris seems unstoppable in the 100 and 200.
DIVISION III: For the last two seasons, a Trumbull County team has won a boys team championship. This season, Maplewood's boys team have the combined tools to possibly make a run in 2012. There's Wyatt Hartman in the 800 and 1,600. The Rockets should advance to state in the 4x800 after capturing a district title last week in Independence. Tuan Hoang could advance in the 100, 200 and 400. Stephen Pop could advance in the boys discus. And, add Solomon Yoder in the hurdles. The only question for Maplewood is who gets top four on Friday at the Navarre Fairless Regional? ... John F. Kenendy's Chad Zallow and brother, Carl, could lead a contingent of Eagles back down to state. Chad, a freshman, won the last week's Springfield District in the 110 and 300 hurdles. ... McDonald's Tory Ross and Jai-lyn Mosley should advance to state in the shot put and discus. ... Badger's Jennilyn Krumpe could be the highlight of the meet when she wins regional in the 400 and advances to state in the girls long jump, along with teammate Leah Blaney.