Youth FAQs

Developmental Meets

USATF Youth Age Group Divisions

The athlete will participate in the age group determined by the athlete’s age as of December 31 of the current year.

Developmental Meet Schedule

Introduction

In preparation for the USA Track & Field Junior Olympic competition we compete with other local clubs in developmental, or practice, meets.  

• The clubs who host these meets are youth track clubs just like ours.  These meets are run by parent volunteers from the host club (with help from other teams as needed.)

• The purpose of these meets is to give our athletes competitive experience in a relaxed environment.

• We participate in developmental meets for both track & field and cross country.

• You can view the practice and meet schedule here.

• Additional information parents need to know to prepare for the day of the meet.

Some facts about developmental meets

• A USATF membership is not required for the developmental meets.
• All abilities are welcome, from beginners to advanced.
• Participation in developmental meets is encouraged but not required.  We have many athletes who participate in as many meets as possible.
• Use the meet sign-up form on the web site to indicate the events in which your athlete will participate.  The sign-up form is typically made available the Monday before the weekend meet date.
• Is pre-registration required through our team meet entry page?
  • Yes, required for Cross County developmental meets.
  • Yes, required for USATF meets.

Track Meets

• Each meet has Competitor EVENT LIMITS (for example, 2 Field Events, 2 Relays and 3 Running Events).  The event limits differ for each meet and will be described on the meet entry page.
• With the exception of the 3000m run, we cannot tell you when a particular running event will start.  The "pace" of the meet depends on the number of athletes competing, the number of heats required, and the ability of the meet hosts to keep things running quickly.
• The meets are on Saturdays and typically begin around 8:00 am and end around 4:00 pm.  The only guaranteed starting time is the first event; from that point forward, the events follow a rolling schedule. Here is an example time frame and should not be used as an absolute schedule:
  • 3000m run - start time 8:00 am
  • 400m dash (estimated 8:30 am)
  • 1500m run (estimated 9:15 am)
  • 100m dash (estimated 10:30 am)
  • 800m run (estimated 10:55 am)
  • 200m dash (estimated 11:35 am)
  • 4x100m relay (estimated 12:25 pm)
  • 4x400m relay (estimated 12:35 pm)
  • Full size javelin (ages 13+) 8:00 am
  • Shot put, Mini-javelin (ages 12 & under), long jump, high jump begin at 8:30 am and will be open to all athletes on a first come, first serve basis
• Meet announcers will give a first call, second call, and final call for each event. Prior to the first call, athletes should start their warm-up. Between the first and second call the athletes need to go to the check-in table and check-in for the event. Between the 2nd and final call they need to report to the staging area on the infield. Athletes should have time to put on their spikes and do their final warm-up sprints during this time.
• Most of the coaches will be on the field, monitoring the athletes as they prepare, race and finish their events. 
• Though parents are not allowed on the field, we ask that they help get the athletes to their events by listening for the announcements.
• Running events take precedence over field events. Athletes can check in at their field event and then tell the volunteer official that they need to leave for their running event. The field event official should allow this, but be sure to let them know.
• The meet will last well into the afternoon. The 3000m should take about 25 minutes to run. The 4x100m is another lengthy event as there are a large number of participants and it takes some time to setup for each heat.
• Event heats are run in order of Age Division and Gender:
  • 8 & under - Girls, then 8 & under - Boys
  • 9 - 10 - Girls, then 9 - 10 - Boys
  • etc.
• The coaches can guide the athletes and help them choose the events to participate in, but it is the athlete's (and parent's) decision as to what they want to compete in.  The athletes can try multiple field events and running events.  The purpose of the developmental meet is to give the athlete experience in competing in a particular event.