Meet Procedure
ORDER OF EVENTS
Track Events (Running)
Running events usually begin at 8:45 a. m. Each running event is run in age group order:
GG, GB, BG, BB, MG, MB, YG, YB, IG AND IB.
Sometimes age groups will be combined such as the 800 meter and often the Youth and
Intermediate. Typically the order of running events is as follows:
3000 meter, 80 meter hurdles, 100 meter hurdles, 4×100 meter relay, 1500 meter, 400
meter, 100 meter, 800 meter, 200 meter and 4×400 meter.
Field Events
Field events usually begin at 8:30 a. m. The order of participation is usually as follows:
Long Jump: GG, GB, IG, IB, MG, MB, YG, YB, BG, BB
High Jump: BG, BB, MG, MB, YG, YB, IG, IB
Shot Put: YG, YB, IG, IB, BG, BB, MG, MB
There is no way of determining the time a particular event will start. It depends on too many
variables such as the number of participants, quantity of help, etc. The order of events is subject
to change. Please check the schedule of events posted at each meet.
Number of Events
We urge every athlete to compete in 3 individual events and 1 relay. The maximum number of
events allowed by Valley Conference is four (of which at least one must be a relay). NOTE:
Gremlins are allowed to compete in a maximum of 2 events and 1 relay, or 3 individual events.
Make sure to sign up with your coach the week before the meet.
Reporting In
Each athlete must check in with their coach before they compete. Make sure to allow plenty of
time to park, locate your coach and warm up before your events. Most coaches want their
athletes to be checked in and ready to compete by 8:30 a.m. and at least 30 minutes before
his/her scheduled event, unless otherwise noted.
Event Name Tags
Prior to participating in a meet each athlete must check in with their coach and receive event tags
with their name on it for each event in which they will participate. All athletes should have their
tags by 8:30 a.m. or as soon as possible thereafter.
Running Events
Athletes in running events must stay in their lanes until the timer takes their tag at the end of the
event.
Ribbons
Ribbons are awarded to all participating athletes in a running or field event. Ribbons will be
awarded for 1st through 8th place and a participant ribbon for all others in each heat. Ribbons
will be distributed to the Athletes’ file boxes the week following each meet.
Rules and Regulations
Rules and regulations for judging, running of events and the conduct of parents and athletes will
be in accordance with those rules and regulations established and published by the Valley
Conference. The Valley Conference Track and Field for Youth and its participating
organizations have, as a major goal, presentation of youth track program featuring wholesome
competition in an environment beneficial to the participants. Personal conduct of spectators,
officials, coaches and participants must, at all times, be beyond reproach. Physical and/or
verbal abuse WILL NOT BE TOLERATED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Adults or
participants unable to display acceptable behavior will be directed to leave the competition site
by the meet director and participating head coach. All involved individuals are to carefully
consider their words and actions criticism, aggressiveness and intemperate behavior are all too
easily generated by the stress of competition. All parents and participants are requested to strive
to maintain a positive atmosphere in all situations.
Uniforms
This year we will have new uniforms made out of Cool Max and displaying our new logo. Our
uniform must be worn at all meets per Valley Conference Rules. Tights are allowed under the
uniform if they are a solid color. The solid color must be either black, white or maroon and must
not have any logo affixed so it is visible. Any athlete appearing out of uniform will not be
allowed to compete.
Running vs. Field Events
Running events take precedence over field events. First check in at the field event. After the 2nd
call for a running event, check out with the field event judge and proceed to the staging area to
check in for the running event. Return to the field event immediately after finishing your race.
You have 5 minutes to return to complete your field events.
LEAGUE FINALS **
In order for an athlete to attend this meet, he/she must initially meet or surpass a Qualifying
Standard. These standards are available from the coach. These standards are set very high and
most of the athletes do not meet these goals. In order to fill all the lanes of the track with
participants, we may ask additional athletes to compete in this meet based strictly on times or
distances. GREMLINS CANNOT participate in this meet. If an athlete meets or exceeds a
qualifying standard, he/she becomes INELIGIBLE to compete at Open Finals.
OPEN FINALS**
All participants that did not qualify for the League Finals attend this meet. **For an athlete to
participate in ANY Finals, he/she must have attended at least half of the regularly scheduled
meets.
INDIVIDUAL EVENT CHAMPIONSHIPS (I. E. C.)
This is the final meet of the year at conference level. It puts the Western League against the
Eastern League. An athlete participating in this meet must have been among the top four
finishers in the League Finals. The fastest fifth place finisher between the two leagues also
participates in this meet. This is the "creme de la creme". We would encourage anyone who
enjoys watching a track meet to attend this one.