Frequently Asked Questions

Track and field teaches athletes a mix of physical skills, mental habits, and life lessons that carry over well beyond the sport.

Discipline and Consistency

Athletes learn that improvement doesn’t come from one great day—it comes from showing up, working hard, and repeating good habits over time.  Small gains each week add up to big progress.

Work Ethic and Effort

Track and field is very honest: you get out what you put in.  Times, distances, and heights reflect effort directly, so athletes learn to take ownership of their work.

Goal Setting and Measurable Progress

Because everything is measured (seconds, feet, inches), athletes learn how to set clear goals and track improvement.  They can actually see when they get faster or stronger.

Handling Pressure and Competition

Athletes learn how to perform in front of others, deal with nerves, and compete when it matters.  That builds confidence and emotional control.

Teamwork and Supporting Others

Even though events are individual, the team depends on everyone.  Athletes learn to support teammates, celebrate success, and contribute even when they are not the one scoring points.

Resilience and Bouncing Back

Not every race or throw goes well. Athletes learn how to respond to setbacks, adjust, and try again without quitting.

Time Management and Responsibility

Balancing school, practice, meets, and recovery teaches responsibility and how to manage time effectively.

Important Documents

All athletes must have a current physical on file in the main office.  Athletes must also complete the Bobcat Code. Both requirements must be completed before a uniform is issued.

Practice Attire

Athletes should wear their normal physical education attire to practice.

• Throwers and distance athletes should bring warmer clothing for outdoor practices.

• Sprinters will practice indoors when weather conditions are cool.

Equipment (By Event)

Distance Athletes:

• Sweatpants, sweatshirts, and other warm layers are recommended for outdoor practices, especially during cooler temperatures.

• Proper running shoes are also strongly recommended

Sprinters, Jumpers, Vaulters:

• Spikes are recommended but not required

• The program has several donated pairs of spikes available for use

• Please check with coaches for available sizes

Throwers (Shot Put / Discus):

• Sweats for outside practices

• Equipment will be provided for practice and meets

• Athletes may purchase their own implements (Shot Put: 8 lbs, Discus: 1 kg)

• All personal equipment must be clearly marked with the athlete’s name

Practices (3:20–4:15 PM)

Athletes are expected to attend practice every day unless they are in another school sport or activity. If an athlete will miss practice, they need to tell a coach ahead of time.

Practice will be held Monday through Thursday from 3:20–4:15 PM unless we announce a change through TeamReach.

Some event groups may have different practice times based on their needs. These groups include High Jump, Long Jump, Hurdles, Throws, Pole Vault, and others.

Some groups may also have practice on Fridays when needed. Athletes will be told ahead of time if this happens.

Uniforms

A uniform top will be provided for all athletes.
Athletes may be required to provide or purchase their own black shorts.

Who Gets to Participate?

For each meet, the top two athletes in each event will compete for the team.  This helps ensure our strongest performances represent the team in competition.

At some meets, we are allowed to enter up to 4 athletes per event, depending on the host school and meet rules.

What if my athlete is not listed in the lineup?

If an athlete is not competing in the official lineup for the meet, they will still have opportunities to participate through exhibition events:

• Exhibition 100 Meter Dash will be run at approximately 4:15 PM during field events

• Exhibition Throws will take place as soon as field events are completed 

These exhibition events give all athletes a chance to compete, improve, and gain experience. Please note that not every meet will offer exhibition events.

Order of Field Events @ Home Meets

(Approx. 4:00–5:15 PM)

Shot Put 

Discus

Long Jump 

High Jump

Pole Vault

***Exhibition 100s will start at 4:15

Order of Running Events @ Home Meets

(Approx. 5:15–6:45 PM) 

Boys then Girls for all of the following:

Hurdles 

7th Grade 4x200 Relay 

Varsity 4x100 Relay 

6th Grade 4x100 Relay 

400m

1600m 

Varsity 4x200 Relay 

6th Grade 100m 

7th Grade 100m 

8th Grade 100m 

Throwers 100m 

800m 

200m

4x400 Relay 

Parent Involvement

Parents are encouraged to assist with field events and concessions.
If you are able to help, please contact a coach through the TeamReach app.

Athlete Sign-Out (Away Meets)

Athletes are encouraged to remain until the conclusion of the meet for awards ceremonies, team photos, and trophy presentations.

Athletes must be signed out by a parent or guardian prior to departure from any away meet. The sign-out sheet will be available at the team camp and maintained by a team manager or coach. No athlete may leave an away meet without completing the sign-out process. 

Important reminder

Before leaving the meet, please ensure athletes collect all personal belongings, including their team bag, spikes, Chromebook, and school backpack. This helps prevent lost items.

Scoring

In track and field, athletes can earn points based on where they finish in each event. Those points all add up to create a team score.

How individual events are scored

Each event (like the 100m, long jump, shot put, etc.) awards points like this:

• 1st place = 10 points

• 2nd place = 8 points

• 3rd place = 6 points

• 4th place = 4 points

• 5th place = 2 points

• 6th place = 1 point

The higher an athlete places in an event, the more points they earn for their team.

One important rule to remember is that only the top 2 athletes from each team are eligible to score points in an event.

This means that even if an athlete finishes in a scoring position (like 4th place), they will not add points for the team if two teammates finish ahead of them in that same event.

This rule helps ensure fair scoring between schools and keeps competition balanced across all teams.

What the team score means

At the end of a track meet, the points earned by all athletes and relay teams are added together to determine each team’s total score.

• Team A: 68 points

• Team B: 54 points

Since Team A scored more points, Team A wins the meet!

SIJHSAA ARTICLE XXXVI: TRACK REGULATIONS

Every coach should obtain a rule book through the IHSA.

• PRELIMS: NO Prelims in any events. (Passed by the SIJHSAA Board of Control 10-18-17)

• HURDLES: 100meter hurdles shall consist of 10 hurdles. The distance from the starting line to the first hurdle shall be 42’8”. Distance between the hurdles shall be 27’10’’. Distance from the last hurdle to the finish line shall be 34’11”. Height of the hurdles shall be 30 inches.

• HIGH JUMP: SIJHSAA recommended minimum beginning heights: Regionals (4-0 S girls / 4-1 L girls / 4-8 S boys / 4-9 L boys ) and State (4-6 S girls / 4-7 L girls / 5-2 S boys / 5-3 L boys).
  *The games committee for regionals and state meets shall set the starting heights for their meets.

• POLE VAULT: Recommended minimum beginning heights: Regional (5-7 L girls / 7-6 L boys) State 6-9 L girls / 8-6 L boys).
  *The games committee for regionals and state meets shall set the starting heights for their meets.

• SHOT PUT: Each contestant shall receive 4 puts. All puts will be recorded and considered in determining the places of finish and the breaking of ties. The weight of the shot shall be 8 pounds. Lead shots are illegal. Rubber and plastic covered 8-pound shots are legal.

• DISCUS: Attempts are the same as for the shot put. A rubber, wood, or metal discus weighing 1 Kilo or 2 lbs. 2 oz. with a diameter of 7-1/2" to 7-1/8" shall be used and should be checked by the judges before competition begins. Throwing from a discus cage in the State Series shall be mandatory and is recommended for all other meets.

• LONG JUMP: Each contestant shall be given 4 trials. All jumps shall be recorded and considered in determining finishes and the breaking of ties.

• BREAKING OF TIES: The breaking of ties in the field events shall be done in accordance with the National Federation of High Schools Rules and Records Book.

• RELAY & SUBSTITUTION: All relays must list each participant in the relay. Substitutes may be used in the State Track Meets providing they are on the eligibility list and have not already entered four events in the State Meet.

• SCRATCH MEETING: Scratches and replacements may be made at the "scratch meeting" prior to the beginning of the regional meet. NOTE: THIS IS A SCRATCH MEETING ONLY, NOT A MEETING TO ARGUE OVER ORDER OF EVENTS, TIME SCHEDULES, ETC...

• FALSE STARTS: NO FALSE STARTS ARE PERMITTED.

• AWARDS: In the state meets, 8 individual medallions are given in each event and 4 team trophies are awarded after the meet. (AT THE STATE MEET ONLY: Duplicate medals will be given for all ties)

• ATHLETIC.NET REQUIREMENT: All schools entered in track must have a school Athletic.net account. This is an account in the name of the school, thus it can be passed from year to year in case there is a coaching change.

• REGIONAL MEET TIMETABLE: (Recommended)

  1. Entry Submission Deadline: Minimum 9am the day before the meet or earlier

  2. Heat Sheets released: Emailed to coaches the evening before the meet or earlier.

  3. Scratches and Substitutions: May be made at the Coaches Meeting on the day of the meet.

• STATE MEET SCRATCHES AND SUBSTITUTIONS: Scratches only may be made at the Coaches Meeting unless it is a Relay Substitution. A Relay Substitution may be made with anyone on your eligibility sheet not entered in 4 events.