Track Tourney Time

It's hard to escape the tournaments going on this time of year.  Hockey (have you ever heard of the Purple Puck?)  swimming, and indoor track are having regional and state competitions.

What stunned me is that one of the premiere regional locations (which actually held statewide games for a number of years) is the 5th Regiment Armory here in Baltimore.

That's right -- the archaic granite castle that looks like it belongs at West Point.  Built in 1901, it is the home of the Maryland National Guard.  

I knew the landmark was used for other events, like festivals and galas. It has also been the site of such momentous occasions as the 1912 Democratic Convention (where one-time Hopkins student Woodrow Wilson was nominated in a nail-biter.)  I even went to the circus there before 1st Mariner existed (you know how long THAT's been.)  But athletic competitons?

At one time, the interior was the largest indoor space in the state.  It used to host the annual Maryland National Guard Indoor Scholastic Games, which attracted more than 2500 student athletes in individual and team competition in track and field exercises.

Although more modern facilities, such as the Prince George's County Sports and Learning Complex, now see more track and field action, the cavernous armory -- built to accommodate two regiments in formation -- is still a traditional competition site.  Its wood surface precludes the use of spikes, so competitors have to modify their stride with a more traditional running shoe.

Despite its drawbacks, the Armory has its fans, and long tradition of hosting track and field events for high school athletes all over the state.  It provides a challenge -- and experience -- all its own.