UNC Asheville opens indoor season at Tryon’s new Mondo track

UNC Asheville’s track and field team opened its indoor season at Tryon International on Jan. 9, staging the UNC Asheville Collegiate Opener on the venue’s new Mondo Super X 720 surface. The event served as an early-season test for the Bulldogs and a preview for the Big South indoor championships scheduled later this season.

The meet drew regional collegiate competitors and showcased the upgraded indoor facility, which university officials said offers a competition-grade surface designed for fast times and consistent performance. Meet organizers released details about logistics and participating events, presenting opportunities for athletes to measure early-season fitness across track and field disciplines.

For Buncombe County, the opener matters on multiple levels. UNC Asheville student-athletes gained a high-quality competition environment that can sharpen performances in conference play, while the presence of visiting teams brings modest economic activity to the area as coaches, athletes and supporters plan travel and lodging. Local high school and club athletes also benefit from access to higher-level competition nearby, which can be a recruiting and development advantage for the region.

Public health considerations are part of staging indoor meets in January. Indoor athletic events concentrate people in enclosed spaces, so adequate ventilation, sensible sick‑leave policies for athletes and event staff, and clear guidance from event organizers help reduce the risk of respiratory illness transmission. Community members who are immunocompromised or at higher risk may want to weigh attendance choices, while families and fans can protect themselves by staying home when symptomatic and following any posted health guidance at the venue.

The event also highlights equity questions that routinely surface in local sports coverage. Access to top-tier indoor facilities like Tryon’s Mondo track is uneven across communities. Investments by universities and private venues raise the competitive bar for collegiate programs, but they can leave community programs and underfunded schools without comparable training sites. Partnerships between universities, county recreation departments and nonprofits can help spread access to quality facilities and coaching, improving health and opportunity for youth across Buncombe County.

The Bulldogs will carry lessons from the opener into conference play as the Big South indoor championships approach. For local athletes, coaches and fans, the meet offered both a performance benchmark and a reminder that athletics intersect with public health and community equity.

The takeaway? Cheer on the Bulldogs, but stay sensible — if you’re feeling sick, skip the meet and support the team from home, and push for partnerships that bring better facilities and coaching to more Buncombe County neighborhoods.