Again this year during the course of the 2009 track and field season the KSHSAA will be posting weekly updates/announcements/interpretations.  Check this site for those items – your question may be answered by checking this source of information.

May 11, 2009
Risking repetition (which as coaches we believe leads to better performances) I wanted to remind coaches of a few very important points as we approach the week of regional entries:

LEGAL UNIFORMS AND JEWELRY:  It is the time of the year that the “stakes” are at the highest level – league meets, regional meets and the state meet.  Just last week I received an email from an official who was pleading with me to again remind coaches that there are numerous situations he had observed during the year at invitational meets many contestants are wearing illegal uniforms or jewelry.  Once a contestant reports to the clerk of the course or the head judge for an event, THEY CAN NOT WEAR JEWELRY AND THEY MUST BE IN A LEGAL UNIFORM.  Preventive officiating by the clerks or the field event judges can avoid a disqualification (by reminding the contestants of the rules prior to the competition).  BUT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMING THE ATHLETES OF THE RULES RESTS WITH THE SCHOOL COACH.  Yes it is unfortunate when student athletes are disqualified from an event because they are wearing jewelry or have on an illegal uniform BUT they are in violation of the rules.  Who put the officials in this situation?  – It is either the athlete (because their coach informed them of the rules and the athlete chooses to ignore the rule) OR the coach who either did not inform their athletes of the rules or who does not check the athletes prior to getting off the bus!  In either situation, the official is left with no option and was placed in the situation by the athlete or the coach!  Whether it is football, basketball, track and field or any other interscholastic sport, officials cannot pick and choose which rules to enforce.  Consistency of rules enforcement is fundamental to a level playing/participation field for all athletes.  If every coach would take just a few minutes prior to a meet and remind their athletes of the uniform and jewelry rules then the burden for following the rules rests with the students.  If a coach fails to remind the athletes of the rules then the coach has failed to fulfill part of their duties!
For a reminder of the rules on uniforms and jewelry, the KSHSAA legal uniform and jewelry rules are posted on the front page of the KSHSAA track and field page!

May 4, 2009
REGIONAL ENTRIES – Just a reminder of some key dates pertaining to the regional entries:
From now until May 13, 2009 – The on-line entry process is NOW AVAILABLE – coaches may begin making the regional entries.  You can go in and revise, update, change entries after the initial entries.   We would hope that all coaches would have made their regional entries by May 13.  Once entered you can delete, change, update, etc.  This would hopefully speed the entry process up for those coaches who want to update times/marks or make changes following meets on May 15-16.
8:30 PM on MAY 16 – this is the deadline for regional entries.  ALL ENTRIES MUST BE MADE BY THIS DATE/TIME.  Please review sections 3.A.4 – 3.A.8 in the 2009 KSHSAA Track and Field manual (the manual is available as a download off the school side of the KSHSAA web site). 
FAX TF-5 to KSHSAA – MAY 16 – this form MUST be faxed to the KSHSAA Saturday, May 16 after the coach has completed their entries on-line.  We need this form in the event that we have a challenge with a regional entry and must contact the coach on Saturday evening or Sunday, May 17 as we proof the regional entries.
The week of May 18-23 – send to the KSHSAA the regional entry fees.  It is not necessary to send in a check for the regional entry fees before the entries are done.  Do not take regional entry fees to the regional host site – send the check for the fees to the KSHSAA.
ON-LINE ENTRIES – will be done on the “school” side (tab) of the KSHSAA web site using the school USERID and the coach/sponsor password.
Questions re: regional entries – contact the KSHSAA, Rick Bowden (785-273-5329)
Following are some rules interpretations for field events that can (and often do) occur:
Scenario 1 – High Jumper A1 does not enter the competition (they reported in to the event judge, but passed until all other jumpers completed their attempts – i.e., he “passed” until all other jumpers were done).               Question – Is A1 permitted to have for “warm-up” and what is permitted for this “warm-up”? 
Ruling - NFHS rule 7-4-9 provides that “A competitor who has passed three consecutive heights after the competition has begun, may be permitted  one warm-up jump without the cross bar in place but shall enter the competition at that height.  Such a warm-up must be taken at a height change.”   The same provision applies for the Pole Vault (NFHS 7-5-16).  The NFHS case book (7.4.9 and 7.5.15) addresses this situation.  Contained in both case book situations/rulings is the statement “…without the bar in place.”  Since the interpretations in the case book are considered the official interpretations of NFHS rules, one must accept the case book rulings/explanations for rule application.  Therefore, the athlete may have one warm-up jump BUT it cannot be with the cross bar in place (I assume that the NFHS interpretation is based on the long standing position/interpretation, that once competition begins, the bar cannot be lowered (unless it is for a “jump off”).  As to how much time does the athlete have to attempt their first trial at the competition height must be initiated within one minute (one and one-half minutes in Pole Vault) – the one-minute applies since they have yet to have made an attempt at any height – technically they have yet to be identified as a competitor since they passed all previous heights.  Following their first attempt (whether they make or miss on that first attempt) under the provisions of 7-2-5 since they are now officially the only competitor left in, they would have five minutes (for the high jump, six minutes for the pole vault) for their next attempt.
Scenario 2 – A1 has been excused from a field event to participate in another event.  They have not reported back within the allowed time limits set by the games committee.  A1 has not had any additional communications with the event officials.  All other competitors have completed the competition in the event A1 was initially excused from.  What steps are appropriate for the event judge to take?
Ruling – When NFHS rules do not specifically address every possible situation when the games committee cannot provide specific guidelines for event officials to follow, then the event judge must exercise some judgment.  I would suggest that at that point, the athlete be “paged” over the PA system informing the athlete that they are to report “immediately” for the event.  The “attempt clock” then should be started (rule 6-2-9, 7-2-5).  If the athlete does not initiate an attempt within the time specified by rule, it should be recorded as a miss (vertical event) or a foul (horizontal event or throwing event).  Within a 1 to 1 ½ minutes, the athlete would be called up for the second/third attempt/throw.   Again the athlete must initial a trial/throw within the time limit specified by rule or a foul/miss would be recorded.  If this process is followed then the athlete/coach has no basis for a protest of the judge’s actions.

April 27, 2009
GOOD WEATHER – Last week the weather (at least in the Topeka area) provided a well needed break from wet and colder conditions. Hopefully we will now have more “good” weather days than those that are not so good. Hopefully the heavy rains over the past weekend may be the last for a while – but as a farm kid I know that when it comes to rain, you better take it when it comes because there’s no telling when it will end!

I was in attendance over the last couple of weeks at invitational track and field meets. I was in attendance at one area invitational meets when one of our Kansas High School athletes high jumped 7’02”! I was reminded of that extremely hot day in 1974 when a young man (Dean Herzog) from Lansing HS jumped 7’01.75” at the KSHSAA state track and field meet. It was so warm (HOT) that day that between jumps, Dean would go inside one of the rooms in the bowels of WSU stadium to stay cool and avoid getting “sapped” by the heat of the day. As I mentioned to one of our HS AD’s in a telephone conversation last week, the most vivid sports memories I have seem to be pre-eminently ones from track and field. Later in the week I was going over the excellent listing that Carol Swenson posts on the McPherson college web site of this year’s best T & F HS marks but also the “All-Time Kansas HS Bests”. Two thoughts came to mind when looking at these lists – 1) it is somewhat amazing that even with the less than ideal weather conditions we’ve had this spring, there are still some very good times/distances being achieved by the kids participating in track and field and 2) interscholastic track and field in the state of Kansas is something that we should all take great pride in!

As to the first point, it speaks well not only of our kids but also to our coaches – for the good times/distances being achieved this year, it takes kids willing to put in the time to do well, but it also takes coaches who both know the technical aspects of an event as well as the training methods to condition the kids to perform at their best. Regarding the second point, I am reminded of the track and field “pioneers” who coached and performed as athletes setting standards that are indeed remarkable. Even with the relatively small student population in our state and the challenges with spring weather for the athletes/coaches, few states can claim the breathe and depth of quality marks that Kansas Kids have produced over the years.

100 YEARS AND COUNTING - Many of you are probably aware of the fact that in 2010 the KSHSAA will celebrate/commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first outdoor state track and field meet! With the great and outstanding history of track and field in our state I would hope that we can incorporate into the 2010 state outdoor track and field meet some special events to celebrate the history of this sport in our state. Even though we have not had as many state meets for our girls, it is more than appropriate to incorporate as part of any special recognitions/events the achievements of the young ladies that have added to the history of track and field. I would invite any and all of you to share with me any thoughts/ideas/suggestions that you may have to add to the celebration of 100 years of track and field history in our state.

REGIONAL ENTRIES – Beginning on Thursday, April 30 KSHSAA member school coaches may begin the process of entering athletes for the regionals via the on-line entry process. You can find below information taken from the 2009 KSHSAA Track and Field manual that coaches should review as they begin the regional meet entry process.

In late April-early May, schools will be provided detailed information regarding the process for entering athletes for regional meets. Coaches shall enter all potential regional track and field meet entries on-line electronically by Wednesday, May 13, 2009. All entries shall be made electronically, accessing the school form off the KSHSAA web site (www.kshsaa.org). This entry process works well and provides coaches with a written record of entries. Each school principal has the “access code” which will permit coaches to access this form via www.kshsaa.org and enter their athletes in the desired individual events and/or relays. Using the electronic entry process will permit: school and regional numbers to be correctly entered; coaches to immediately view and correct entrant information; updating time/distance information: and, coaches to have a “master printout” of all entrants. (COACHES: DO NOT FORGET TO PRINT A COMPLETE LIST OF ALL ENTRANTS AND THEIR MARKS.)

Upon entering the entry page, coaches should carefully review the electronic regional entry form.

1. School ID# - will be automatically entered correctly once school code is entered.
2. Regional # - will also automatically and correctly entered.
3. School Name and Classification - Automatically will be entered – won’t be able to change.
4. Student Name, Sex, Grade - Coaches will need to ensure correct spelling when entering.
5. Event entries – When coaches make their entries use the correct time/distance information.

Coaches - check to ensure individuals are not entered in more than four (4) individual events. No athlete may compete in more than four (4) events (individual and/or relay). An athlete may be listed on all relay teams. Each relay team member, included alternates, must have the same time – if a coach needs to update the times after the initial entry, the coach needs to remove each athlete from the relay and then re-enter the athletes with the new, updated relay time.

NOTE: Each coach needs to fax to the KSHSAA - Form TF-5 (which is available via the online entry forms off the school side of the KSHSAA web site). TF-5 is the final verification required from the coaches that entries are completed. Each school is to fax this form as soon as pos¬sible – KSHSAA fax number is 785-271-0236.

COACHES: Student-athletes expecting to participate in the regional meet will expect you to fulfill your responsibility and correctly enter them. The Electronic Entry process may eliminate many errors, but your careful attention to ensure no careless mistakes will be necessary. PLEASE TAKE TIME TO CAREFULLY CHECK ALL ENTRANTS!

April 20, 2009
POSTING UPDATED MEET RESULTS – Again a reminder if your school hosts a track and field meet during the regular season, you are asked to send results of the meet to Carol Swenson, McPherson College.  Results can be mailed to Carol at swensonc@mcpherson.edu.  Carol posts and updates the “Best Performances List” and the “Kansas All-time Best Performances Chart”.  If you would like to get the most recent updated posting go to the McPherson College website (http://www.mcpherson.edu/athletics). 

ESSX POLE VAULTING POLES – NFHS update for those who have or use this brand of poles  -  As all of you know, the NFHS Track and Field Rules Committee included a new Note 1, in the 2009 Rules Book, which emphasizes the required manufacturer’s marking of the weight rating for an individual pole cannot be replaced by “etchings, serial numbers, etc.”  Rule 7-5-3 states, “The manufacturers must include on each pole:  the pole rating that shall be a minimum of ¾ inch in a contrasting color, located within or above the top handhold position….”

The language of the Note addresses various methods by which manufacturers may identify the characteristics of an individual pole.  Traditionally, the characteristics of a pole were etched on the pole.  These etchings were generally not ¾ in size and may or may not have been in a contrasting color to the pole or placed in a position on the pole in or above the manufacturer’s legal handhold 1-inch circular band.  The Note emphasizes the importance of the weight rating appearing on the pole as required in Rule 7-5-3.

The NFHS has been contacted by the manufacturer of Altius Poles (under the name of ESSX), bringing to the  attention of the NFHS that prior to 2006, the official manufacturer’s placement of the pole weight rating for Altius poles was to engrave the pole rating ¾ inch in height and of a contrasting color.  A label or other similar process was not used by the manufacturer in addition to the engraved pole characteristics and weight rating.  Altius poles manufactured from 2006 to the present now use a labeling system, in addition to etchings.
With the inclusion of Note 1, questions have been raised as to whether earlier models of the Altius poles meet the NFHS requirements due to the manufacturer’s method of engraving the weight rating in ¾ inch contrasting color.

Mr. Jeff Erickson, primary owner or Altius Poles, in correspondence to the NFHS confirmed the manufacturer’s process for placing the official pole weight rating on poles manufactured prior to 2006.  Although this has not been as common of a process, Altius was placing, using this method, a ¾ inch contrasting color weight rating on the individual pole.  Between 2000 and 2006, the weight label in addition to a permanent engraved area was located at the butt of the pole near the pole tip.  Prior to 2000 ESSX poles did not exist.  Replacements for the pole labels can be secured from the manufacturer at www.officialESSX.com.  Replacement labels will indicate the serial number of the pole.  If the serial number located in the label does not match the permanent serial number of the pole, the pole has been tampered with and should not be allowed to be used.   In order to avoid questions as to whether ESSX poles manufactured between 2000 and 2006 fulfill the requirement of NFHS rules, the KSHSAA recommends that  schools contact the manufacturer at the above web site and secure a replacement label which can be applied in the location prescribed by the current NFHS rule.

Based on this information from the official representative of Altius Poles, it is the position of the NFHS that your state may accept these earlier model poles as legal using the engraving, providing the manufacturer’s marking meets the requirements of Rule 7-5-3 and all other requirements for a legal pole are met.

If you have questions re: the legality of ESSX poles or replacement labels, please contact the manufacturer at the above web site.

April 13, 2009
KSHSAA MANUAL ERROR – Item 3.A.8 (page 11 of the 2009 KSHSAA Track and Field Manual) has an incorrect date – All regional entries should be entered by 8:30 pm, SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009. The date in the manual was last year’s date and is incorrect. My apologies for failing to catch this obvious error.
WHAT IF…Here’s one of those “How could this possibly happen!” Or maybe a more relevant reaction is “I hope it never happens in one of our meets!” The situation: At an invitational meet in the 3200 M run as the lead runner(s) finish their sixth (6th) lap, the starter fires their starting pistol - indicating that the runners had one lap left. From this point forward in this event, whatever decision is made by the meet officials, there will no “right” answer. I won’t review the options or the impact/effect of those options on the runners. I think we can all figure them out. I’ve been asked to develop some “protocol” or “standard rule” for how to correct the problem. First – I don’t know if there is a way to “correct” the problem. An error was made by someone – whether it was the starter or lap counter – and whatever happened after that will put one or more of the runners in the event in a difficult situation. The only “good” way out of the error would be to inform the runners very quickly of the error – preferably within the next 100 M run by the leader(s). Depending upon the quality of the competitors, any later notification would probably be when the runners would begin their finishing strategy. We are talking (again depending upon skill levels) about informing all the runners within a maximum of seconds. Absent that quick notification (i.e., providing the runner(s) information that they are NOT on their last lap) then I think you have to let the signal stand – the runners are on the last lap of that race. Clearly the challenge of essentially negating the action of firing the starting pistol as the signal that the runners are starting their last lap is to effectively COMMUNICATE to all runners that they really ARE NOT on the last lap. Some propose having the starter fire the starting pistol twice – to indicate that the initial signal was in error. I DO NOT support that approach. MUCH CONFUSION could be created using that as an option. I could envision a number of concerns that could create. Effectively trying to “correct” the initial incorrect signal could make the situation more problematic.
AVOIDING THIS PROBLEM – So what do we do if we are running off a meet in an effort to avoid this problem? Whether it’s something with counting laps, making sure hurdles are placed on the proper marks, using the correct starting line, putting relay runners in the proper exchange zones, etc., etc., etc. you can’t anticipate a “policy” for every possible error.
BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO IS CHECK AND THEN DOUBLE CHECK – in multiple lap races, have more than one person responsible for counting laps or check to see if the leader’s time is consistent with the number of laps they should be completing, confirm the lap count as the leader(s) are entering the home straight. For the relays have a sheet for each of the people who are responsible for providing instructions to the runners what the specific color is for exchange zone for each leg of the relays. For the hurdles, designate someone (if necessary more than one) to specifically count the flights and to do a final check as to the height for the hurdles – how often have we seen seven (7) hurdles in the 300 M or one of the flights was not set at 30” because someone forgot to lower them from the 33” and no one was asked to told to do a “final check” – especially in those first flights of the 300 M when the staggers spread the hurdles all up and down the track. Communication and taking time to be sure things are correct may not prevent every possible mistake but it should minimize them.
GOOD WEATHER’S COMING – Growing up on a farm, I learned early on that you can’t “control” the weather so the best thing to do is always believe that better weather is ahead! It’ll get here and we will all enjoy it.

April 6, 2009
NO ANNOUNCEMENTS LAST WEEK – Last Friday most of our administrative staff was attending the KIAAA conference  in Hutchinson.  Heavy snow prevented my return to the office until Sunday.  As a result I got behind on a number of items – including the weekly track and field announcements.    Those of you who are diligent in checking this site for these weekly updates noted the fact that I didn’t get an update posted.  My apologies but my thanks that several of you do check this site and were quick to point out that I was negligent in my “responsibilities”!  Ah – the challenges of coaching spring sports in Kansas – 20+ inches of snow in one day followed by temperatures in the 60 degree range within a couple of days!  Even with those challenges, imagine what it would be like to be coaching track and field in Fargo!
KSHSAA RULE 28 – This week I wanted to briefly discuss this specific KSHSAA rule.  It is the time of the year that we will get many calls/questions as to how this rule is applied.  Quick history lesson as I understand it.   Unlike some state associations, we are proud that in Kansas our schools created an “activities” association – recognizing that our member schools correctly believe that students participating in the non-athletic programs offered by schools are as important to the development of students as are the athletic programs.  Students in KSHSAA member schools should be provided the opportunity for a total, holistic educational experience.  As a parent of daughters who were involved in music as well as athletic programs, I can attest to the impact and the importance their involvement in both programs had in their overall development.  Thus, as an activities association, many years ago the governing board of the KSHSAA adopted Rule 28.
Rule 28 provides that “athletic events for any student who has been or is a member of a large instrumental or vocal group are not approved prior to 6:00 p.m. on a school day of regional or state music festivals if these groups are entered in the festival. “  Large instrumental or vocal groups, under the current KSHSAA format, only perform at the KSHSAA state music festivals.  For application of the rule under the current format, this rule only applies to the week of the KSHSAA state music festivals.  For this year that is April 15-16 (Wednesday and Thursday – both school days).  These dates will be used in the following Q & A or situations used to help explain this rule.
Question 1 – Does this mean that the school cannot schedule any athletic activity before 6:00 on April 15 or 16?
Answer – No

Basic scenario with some variations -– Student A is on the school T & F team (but it could be any spring sports athletic team) and also a member of the school’s choir which is entered in the state music festival.  The school T & F team is entered in a meet that is scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m.  The choir is scheduled to perform at 9:00 a.m.   The choir returns to the school at 2:00 p.m.  The T & F team departs after the choir returns. ”
Question 2  - Can the student participate in the T & F meet?
Answer –  No
Question 3 – The event(s) the student is scheduled to participate in at the T & F meet all begin after 6:00 p.m.  Can the student participate in the T & F meet?
Answer – Yes

Question 4 – The student (and the coach and choir director) decides the student does not have to go with the choir.  Can the student participate in the T & F meet in events prior to 6:00 p.m.?
Answer – No
Question 5 – The student informs the choir director that they have decided to quit the choir when they join the T & F team.  Can the student participate in the T & F meet prior to 6:00 p.m.?
Answer – No

Question 6 – The school choir director contacts the State music festival manager and requests an earlier performance time since several students are also on the T & F team so that the students can get back for the meet.  If their performance time is moved can the T & F students participate in the meet?
Answer – Even if the choir’s performance time is moved, any of the student’s on the T & F team still may not participate in the meet until after 6:00 p.m.

This rule is designed to protect the students who participate in both the athletic and non-athletic school activities.  It also protects those other students who may not be members of the school athletic team but count upon all of the members of their large instrumental or vocal groups when they perform.  Each member of the choir is just as important to the success of the choir as is the student who is the T & F teams 2nd leg in the 4 x 100 M relay!

March 23, 2009
ON-LINE RULES MEETING – Initial responses from coaches who used the on-line rules meeting numbered just over 300!  That is an impressive number considering that this is the first year this option was available to coaches. As a whole there appeared to be relatively few challenges coaches experienced with this option. 

Beginning on Monday, March 23, anyone will be able to view the on-line rules meeting for track and field.  Since it will be on the “public” side of the KSHSAA web site and it does not require a person to “log-on”, it is not possible for use to “track” who views the rules meeting.  If you are hosting a track and field meet and feel that some of the items covered might assist someone understand the rules, you might direct them to the KSHSAA web site so they can become more familiar with the NFHS rules covered in the rules meeting.

“SCHOOLING”  TRACK AND FIELD WORKERS – Many schools had their spring breaks either last week or this week.  Few if any track and field meets were scheduled on or just after March 19.  Obviously, that will pick up as we move into April.  If you are hosting an invitational meet spend some time helping your judges and clerk(s) of the course understand some of the most fundamental rules in track and field.  And share with them information on the KSHSAA 2009 Legal Uniforms for Track and Field Competitions.  This document was sent to all KSHSAA member schools but it is also available off the track and field page of the KSHSAA web site.  Provide copies of this document to all your meet workers.  Athletes will then be less likely to wear illegal equipment at the regional or state and run the risk of being disqualified as a result.

One of the most consistent “concerns” expressed to the KSHSAA is the following: “Athletes compete all season long while wearing illegal equipment or in illegal uniforms and then at the regional and state meet, they are told they are illegally equipped or in an illegal uniform.”  Or the other comment is “Our kids have been doing that all season and no one ever told them it was illegal.”   As we’ve discussed many times before, in order to run off a quality track and field meet, you have to rely upon a large number of “volunteers”.  Meet managers can be invaluable to coaches and student athletes by providing these volunteers information from the NFHS track and field rule book or NFHS track and field officials manual.  If you are hosting a track and field meet, spend some time helping these volunteers understand the rules and apply them correctly. 

March 16, 2009
KCCTFCA - Each year the KCCTFCA (Kansas Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association) brings suggestions and proposals to the Kansas Coaches Association (KCA) for consideration as proposals to present to the KSHSAA Executive Board.  If you receive a survey from the KCCTFCA, please complete the survey and return it to the KCCTFCA.  This is the avenue through which suggestions/proposals can be brought to the KSHSAA governing board. 

Regular season meet results - If a school hosts a track and field meet during the regular season, you are asked to send results of the meet to Carol Swenson, McPherson College.  Carol keeps the “Best Performances List” and the “Kansas All-time Best Performances Chart”.  Lists can be found at http://www.mcpherson.edu/athletics.  Carol’s email address is swensonc@mcpherson.edu.   This is a great source of information about Kansas track and field athletes and performances.  Do your part to help keep the information current and accurate.

Regional entries – When submitting online entries for regional meets, schools are to use the main “Login” option from the “Schools” tab on the KSHSAA website (www.kshsaa.org).  Click on the menu option for [Regional Track and Field].  Regional track and field entries may be submitted by the administrator or via a coach’s login.  Coaches – you can obtain the coach’s login information (password) from your school administration.

On-line rules meeting – This year the KSHSAA  used as a “pilot” a new delivery system for the required track and field rules meetings – it was possible for a head coach (either HS or JH) to fulfill the requirement of attending a track and field rules meeting by going “on-line”.  Information was sent to each KSHSAA member school explaining the process.  The rules meeting option will be available for coaches to fulfill the meeting requirement until MONDAY, MARCH 23.  At that time the rules meeting will be moved off the “school” side of the KSHSAA web site and will be available to anyone.  HOWEVER, for a coach to fulfill the requirement of attending a rules meeting by using the on-line meeting, they will need to complete the rules meeting BEFORE MARCH 23, 2009.  The KSHSAA has discussed the possibility of using this delivery method (i.e., the on-line meeting option) for those persons seeking to be starters.  However it was not possible to implement this option this year for a couple of reasons.  It will require a change in KSHSAA rule 11 (which can only be done by action of the KSHSAA Board of Directors) and action by the KSHSAA Executive Board in order to “register” those individuals seeking to be a starter in track and field.  Lacking action of these two governing bodies, the KSHSAA could not implement the on-line meeting option for starters for the 2009 track and field season.

Junior High – Middle School provisions – Please note the following changes effective for the 2009 interscholastic track and field season for JH/MS students.  Beginning this year, a 7th or 8th grade student is limited to participation in no more than two (2) races of 880 yards or 800 M during a meet.  There was no change to the maximum length of any single race for a 7th grader (still 1600 M or one mile) or a 8th grader (3200 M or two miles).  A 7th grader could be entered in the 800 M, 1600 M and 400 M for example or an 8th grader could be entered in the 800 M and 3200 M but not the 1600 M.  9th graders are under the same provisions as for senior high school students.

Also please note that on page 7 of the 2009 KSHSAA Track and Field manual we have included the requirements/provisions for the JH shot put and JH discus (yes, I know it is DISCUS and not discuss!)  Did not catch that one!

REVIEW PREVIOUS INTERPRETATIONS – Included on the track and field page of the KSHSAA web site is a lot of information.  Included is information re: counting a meet if the meet is cancelled and I’ve selected a few previous interpretations to put into an “archive” file.  These are items that create questions and need clarification from year to year.  Check out these items – you may find the answer to your question there!

Regional Meet Information – Section 3 of the 2009 KSHSAA Track and Field manual provides much of the information you will need re: the regional meets.  You can find on the KSHSAA track and field on the KSHSAA web site the 2009 regional assignments.  The assignments were posted the week of March 11th.  THANKS to the schools and regional managers who agreed to serve as host sites for the 24 regional meets.

CLASS 1A Regional entry change – Please be aware of and note that there has been a change in the regional entry process/procedure in class 1A.  Beginning this year, in class 1A up to two (2) entries may be made by each school in each individual event without meeting a qualification standard.  If a class 1A school wants to enter a third (3rd) entry into an individual event, then all three entries in that event must meet or surpass the entry standard for class 1A in that event.  This means that the number of entries in each individual event for Class 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A will have the same requirements/provisions.  The QUALIFICATION STANDARD will be different for each class but the same entry provisions will apply to these four classes.  Class 5A and 6A do not have entry standards but are still limited to no more than 3 entries per individual event.

State Meet Information – Information concerning the state track and field meet can be found on pages 17-20 and on page 26 in the 2009 KSHSAA Track and Field manual.  Please note the following items for special attention as it concerns the state meet: