Amherst Comets take one last lap around Marion L. Steele track

AMHERST — Crossing the finish line was bittersweet for coach Rob Glatz. The Marion L. Steele alum and Amherst Schools head track coach joined dozens of current and former athletes and community members to make one final lap around the Comets' home track before its renovations start on Monday. "I got to run my senior year here in Comet Relays and I was a helper before that," Glatz said. Eventually former coach Dick Elasser passed the baton to Glatz to organize the longstanding relay, now in its 69th year. "A lot of good memories on this track, in this stadium and facility," Glatz said. "We've hosted a lot of really big meets here other than Comet Relays and there's been some great athletes that have achieved some incredible performances here on this track." Even with all that history underfoot, Glatz was excited for the stadium's next chapter. In November 2023, voters approved a 2.5-mill replacement levy to fund a new transportation center and upgrades to Amherst Schools' athletic facilities, including replacing its aging tennis courts and overhauling its football stadium. With the grass football field set to be replaced by turf, track and field athletes will also get a new track and separate areas for pole vault, discus and shot put. The new facility will be ready in time for the relay's platinum anniversary next year — with the school district planning to have the football stadium open in mid-September for the majority of its home games. Glatz walked alongside former students and coaches who wanted to step foot on the track one last time. He said he was surprised by Saturday's turnout — from toddlers to retirees — with several people telling him they came to town just for Comet Relays and the last lap. "It just shows how special this track is to our alumni and our community," he said. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.