Track 2021

[oftenrunning52]

While much seems still uncertain about the upcoming track season, the IHSA has announced dates for sectional meets and the state meet. No assignments yet, no idea what these meets look like, and no announcement on a location for the state meet, but I'm reaching for anything that looks promising at this point.
Girls sectional June 2-4 State 10-12
Boys sectional June 9-11 State 17-19

[Bluejaygrad03]

Charleston is likely out as host for state. The American Legion Boys State is set to be in Charleston June 12-18.

[oftenrunning52]

Charleston is likely out as host for state. The American Legion Boys State is set to be in Charleston June 12-18.

Is that baseball? Given the length of the event, are you still going to have a lot of teams around the last two days? It might be crowded, but I bet Charleston would appreciate both events being in town.

[Redbird CC Fan]

PJStar honor roll meet happening this year?

[jmc]

Where did you find the dates? I looked on the IHSA site but didn't see any dates.

[oftenrunning52]

Where did you find the dates? I looked on the IHSA site but didn't see any dates.

https://www.ihsa.org/Resources/COVID-19

[jmc]

thanks, do you think 3 days, 1A Thurs. 2A Fri, 3A Sat with only finals each day, winners and time qualifiers in a sectional type meet?

[Bluejaygrad03]

Charleston is likely out as host for state. The American Legion Boys State is set to be in Charleston June 12-18.

Is that baseball? Given the length of the event, are you still going to have a lot of teams around the last two days? It might be crowded, but I bet Charleston would appreciate both events being in town.

No, not baseball. This will better explain it: https://illinoisboysstate.org/

[MidstateFan]

thanks, do you think 3 days, 1A Thurs. 2A Fri, 3A Sat with only finals each day, winners and time qualifiers in a sectional type meet?

I think a one-day State could be run just like a traditional Sectional. Prelims in 100 and HH and field events as usual, then finals. The other events seeded on Sectional times (fair or not) and then places by time. High Jump and Pole Vault might have to have qualifying flights, then come back and do finals (a long day, but not that many attempts in total, if things go as usual.)

[jmc]

thanks, do you think 3 days, 1A Thurs. 2A Fri, 3A Sat with only finals each day, winners and time qualifiers in a sectional type meet?

I think a one-day State could be run just like a traditional Sectional. Prelims in 100 and HH and field events as usual, then finals. The other events seeded on Sectional times (fair or not) and then places by time. High Jump and Pole Vault might have to have qualifying flights, then come back and do finals (a long day, but not that many attempts in total, if things go as usual.)

That would be fine by me. I'm just glad to have a state meet for my girls. The next question is where and what time of the day. Charleston is a long drive for much of the state. You would have to give schools time to get to the meet. I don't know the trip time from Chicago to Charleston, but it would require an early start. Then when would the meet start? I would think it would be after noon, but that could be a hot day. Then a long trip home.

[oftenrunning52]

thanks, do you think 3 days, 1A Thurs. 2A Fri, 3A Sat with only finals each day, winners and time qualifiers in a sectional type meet?

I think a one-day State could be run just like a traditional Sectional. Prelims in 100 and HH and field events as usual, then finals. The other events seeded on Sectional times (fair or not) and then places by time. High Jump and Pole Vault might have to have qualifying flights, then come back and do finals (a long day, but not that many attempts in total, if things go as usual.)

That would be fine by me. I'm just glad to have a state meet for my girls. The next question is where and what time of the day. Charleston is a long drive for much of the state. You would have to give schools time to get to the meet. I don't know the trip time from Chicago to Charleston, but it would require an early start. Then when would the meet start? I would think it would be after noon, but that could be a hot day. Then a long trip home.

Is it too much to hope that by June we will simply be back to something near normal? Phase 5, or whatever we call it? I know, too much to hope for. I assume they listed three days for the state finals because we normally have three days. A class per day would make sense. Wherever you put the meet, some teams are going to come early, either because they have to or want to. I hope that it remains in Charleston, but I can see a location change, something many have wanted for a long time anyway.

I am with you on just happy to have a state meet to plan for.

[oftenrunning52]

Charleston is likely out as host for state. The American Legion Boys State is set to be in Charleston June 12-18.

Is that baseball? Given the length of the event, are you still going to have a lot of teams around the last two days? It might be crowded, but I bet Charleston would appreciate both events being in town.

No, not baseball. This will better explain it: https://illinoisboysstate.org/

Saw American Legion, was on a sports forum, made a bad assumption
Thanks for the correction!

[Bluejaygrad03]

Is that baseball? Given the length of the event, are you still going to have a lot of teams around the last two days? It might be crowded, but I bet Charleston would appreciate both events being in town.

No, not baseball. This will better explain it: https://illinoisboysstate.org/

Saw American Legion, was on a sports forum, made a bad assumption
Thanks for the correction!

No worries. It happens sometimes. But yeah, the dorms the teams would stay in during the state track meet would be full with that going on at the same time so that's why Charleston can't be used.

[MidstateFan]

I found a message from April 1 regarding meet procedures on the IHSA website. I can't seem to link to it directly, but here are some relevant points:

Meets
There is no limit to the number of teams, participants, coaches and officials who can attend a track meet. The IDPH has just asked that the event be limited to as many teams, participants, coaches and officials that can safely socially distance within your venue. Spectators are currently restricted to 25% of your venue’s capacity for track and field events.

Lanes
Every lane on the track WILL be able to be used at meets if you choose. You may have to create additional sections for distance events to prevent crowding.

Masks
Currently, the IDPH is telling us that facial coverings are required for everyone (including athletes) whether indoors or outdoors, while competing or not, etc. We are working with them to see if there is any potential to relax this requirement. As you probably remember, in the fall, this was not the requirement for cross country, but the state has changed their position on this largely due to a publication in December by the American Academy of Pediatrics saying that masks are well tolerated during sports and strenuous activity. I believe that they have currently taken this under advisement due to some concerns that have been brought to their attention. We will keep everyone posted if this changes.

State Series
As you all likely know, there will be a full IHSA State Series for Girls and Boys Track and Field that includes a state final meet. We will also conduct girls and boys wheelchair events in the state series as we have in the past. You can find the state series dates on the IHSA COVID page or Girls or Boys Track & Field pages. More details about the state series will likely come after the April 12 IHSA Board of Directors meeting.