Relays Mourn the Loss of Past Directors
The Mehock Relays recently lost two pillars of this storied meet. Al Ward who succeeded the man for whom the Relays is now named, Harry Mehock, and former director Doug Castle, passed away in January and October respectively.
Al Ward was the meet director from 1968-1978 and served as an assistant director to Mehock for many years prior to taking over the top spot. Ward served as a mentor to many track and field officials and was highly respected by his peers at the state level.
Doug had been associated with the Relays since 1965. He served as its Director from 1979-1998. Doug was at the reins during the peak years when the meet routinely drew over 3,000 athletes, representing 350 schools, from five states and Canada.
These two men served as true role models and played an important part in the growth and viability of the Relays and the sport of track and field.
Come See the New Mehock Field
The track, originally built in 1964, has literally been rebuilt from the ground up. In its place is a synthetic surface, on top of a new asphalt base, with concrete curbing and expanded drainage system. The pole vault and long jump runways are a synthetic surface on top of a concrete base. The pole vault has been moved to just outside the northwest corner of track for better spectator viewing. The shot put has been moved to the infield of the track to create a more fan-friendly event. The original stands have been replaced with aluminum bleachers with a capacity of 500 spectators.
The track remains as the only ten-lane high school track in Ohio.
