Runners compete in the 2013 Cullman Classic. The high school facilities have landed Cullman a state track meet.

Cullman has been in the running for the AHSAA’s signature track event for the past several months, and the city has finally passed the finish line.

Cullman High School has been selected as one of two sites to host the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the next three years.

Cullman will host the 1A, 2A and 3A championship, while Gulf Shores is set to house the 4A, 5A, 6A and 7A events. The AHSAA’s three year contract will keep the events locked in from 2015-2017. The 2015 edition will be hosted the first weekend in May.

The event will utilize the city school’s main athletic facility at Oliver Woodard Stadium, which was renovated a few years ago with a new track surface and artificial turf field.

“Cullman City Schools is excited to share our facilities and personnel to support our city in this exciting endeavor,” Superintendent Dr. Doreen Griffeth said.

Cullman High School principal Elton Bouldin said he looks forward to welcoming the event to campus and believes it will have a positive impact across the area.

“We have a very positive working relationship with Cullman City and are grateful that our school facility and cooperative proposal has been accepted by the Alabama High School Athletic Association,” he said. “We are looking forward to this unique opportunity to host the state track championship. I am confident this event will benefit the entire community.”

Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce tourism director Cecelia Smith said the hosting privileges should serve as yet another opportunity for the local community to showcase the area and shore up additional tax revenue from meals and hotel stays during the event.

“This is a prime chance to impress the visitors with our amenities and the establishments that Cullman has to offer,” she said. “It’s a way to invite them into our home to see first hand the welcoming spirit our community has to offer. The restaurants and businesses should experience an increase in sales, with people hopefully eating, sleeping and playing throughout the Cullman area.”

Along with the obvious economic benefits locally, officials say the contract could also be a boon to athletics — most notably by hosting the state meets at a central location for local schools.

After long bus rides to Selma the last three years, Addison, Cold Springs, Hanceville, Holly Pond, St. Bernard and Vinemont will now compete on the 1A-3A state stage basically in their own backyards.

Sadly enough, that list doesn’t even include the host, Cullman, which, as a 6A school, will continue to make the annual trek to Gulf Shores. The Bearcats will be joined by Fairview, Good Hope and West Point on the coast for the 4A-6A meet.

“We’ll probably be going to Gulf Shores forever, but whatever,” Cullman track and cross country coach Trent Dean said with a laugh.

Even though he knew it wouldn’t benefit his team personally, Dean was one of the biggest supporters of bringing the small-school championships to Oliver Woodard Stadium. His main reasons were the economic impact the event would have on the city, as well as the closeness for the several local squads that used to have to travel as many as three hours south to Selma.

Plus, it’s not like Cullman is exactly coming away empty-handed. By pulling in the state meet, Dean expects 1A-3A participation — and therefore, competition — to skyrocket at the ‘Cats trio of regular season events. The Black and Gold regularly host the Cullman Invitational, Cullman Classic and Cullman Pre-Sectional Invite during the spring.

“I think it’s going to be a great thing,” Dean said. “We really do have a great community here as far as running and track and field. And now to have the state meet here, and people are going to get to come and be in this community for a few days, I think it’s awesome.”

We really do have a great community here as far as running and track and field. And now to have the state meet here, and people are going to get to come and be in this community for a few days, I think it’s awesome.

Trent Dean, Cullman track and cross country coach