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Opinions! We all have them. Find out what people really think with polls and surveys from Crowdsignal.
There IS a schedule where 4 divisions can be held at Jesse Owens track (or anywhere else that has two PV and LJ facilities) in two days The meet first division/meet would start at *8:30 and the last would end before 8:00 pm. There would be no additional cost (except awards) and considerable potential to make more money with the additional fans/kids.
More schools would be represented so that is great potential to recognize kids and communities.
As history has shown (think girls pole vault, or "at large" qualifiers) increasing opportunity does not "water down" performances like some have speculated,, but instead seems to stimulate better efforts.
Adding a 4th division will give more kids a chance to increase their enjoyment of the sport by extending their season, will help some schools and/or communities to recognize the sport/kids who reach a certain level of success (State qualifier, All-Ohio, etc.). Elevate the sport to "even" with other spring sports (baseball/softball) that have 4 divisions even though they may have less representation - teams/athletes
Will increase revenue and may not increase expenses.
SO
1. it would be good for kids - at least lasting memories for some, recruiting for some
2. it could be good for communities/schools (at the "State" level)
3. it would be good for the sport (promotes Track & Field, equal to other spring sports)
4. good for the OHSAA - $, promote their causes
5. would NOT take any more time (at least for any division)
6. Would NOT hurt anyone
Wow... As I typed this, it has become a "no brainer" for me. If it helps one kid that I don't know, with no real cost then why wouldn't we do it? the other benefits are just icing on the cake.
There are just TOO many teams in D1! Schools that are graduating 250 all the way up is crazy! Seems like the really big & really small teams are taken care of, lets shake up that "middle" group!
I grew up in Indiana when there were no divisions (think "Hoosiers"). Sure, it was great when an athlete from a small school made it to state, but it was very rare. It would have been wonderful if a person from a rural farm-town could have the accolades of going to state and possibly be recruited. One state track meet is already double-up. Make that two and the problem is solved.
I have always been a fan of one true state champ. so I think we should go down to two divisions and allow qualifying times to qualify to the state and not just the top four in each region so we get a true state champ.The cream will still rise to the top No matter the size of your school. that’s what I like about track a field times, distance, height you can’t cheat those. Let’s keep it three.
Rather than 4 divisions, keep it 3 and create performance standards similar to Pennsylvania. Doing so allows the most qualified statewide to participate and not just the top four in each region.
Rather than 4 divisions, keep it 3 and create performance standards similar to Pennsylvania. Doing so allows the most qualified statewide to participate and not just the top four in each region.
Should’ve been 4 divisions along time ago.
I cannot believe that 30% voted no on this issue. Voting to reduce athlete participation when all the other sports are voting to increase it just puts track and field behind another decade on the advancement of the sport.
Boys track is #2 and girl is #1 over the past few years in national numbers of participants and we get no love from the governing bodies because they cant figure out how to make money off of it.
Meets are ran to slowly because of over-officiating. To many officials taking a paycheck and doing nothing.
I totally agree for all kids to have the opportunity to compete, but as a parent of a seated division athlete there is only 4 events that wheelchair athletes are allowed to compete in and that is not fair. All footed athletes are afforded the opportunity to pick or a coach to help the athlete pick the best event possible for them. I totally get the time restrictions on a state meet but there are some athletes that are not wheelchair racing sprinters and would prefer doing a mile over a 100m sprint. I just think maybe if OHSAA would open up a few more racing events for the seated division more seated athletes would compete. Maybe for a trial period of 5 years allow the 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 and shot put. Some athletes prefer sprints like 100, 200, 400 or distances like 1600 and a 800 or 1600. & 3200. I totally agree on qualifying times, you would be amazed on how fast these racing chairs can go. Racing chairs are faster than footed athletes when it comes to the distance events just watch the Paralympic once, it’s jaw dropping ????. The seated division isn’t a charity division these kids are athletes too. Please consider this suggestion, everyone wants to talk about equality for anything and everything but it isn’t equally far for the wheelchair athletes. Some have dreams of the Paralympic. Please consider these suggestions not just for my wheelchair athlete but for future seated division athletes. Thank you.
Many school in the larger division may feel that they may drop down and not be in the largest division. The real fact is unless a screwed breakdown is implemented, the smaller schools will really only see addition participants moving on to the State level. The D 1 ans D 2 schools will only see a small shift, based on current practice of dividing up divisional set ups. If new program are added, they are typically going to be small schools. I do not remember that last time a school of 1000+ added T &F.
Small schools yes. Mid -size schools, especially ones the bridge D 1 and D 2 every year. no real difference, will be my guess. A fourth division will increase the student experience. Many states with less HS students than Ohio have more than 3 divisions.
A fourth division would be nothing but beneficial to student-athletes. That is what this is about, student-athletes. The result would be more recognition, more notoriety, and more pride in one's community. The results are numbers-driven and easy to see. Just because a state champion in one division may not be as fast, far, or high as another, is really a non-issue. The ones that are beyond the state level can compete in the well organized and developed USATF and AAU competitions. These events (USATF, New Balance Nationals, etc) are where you can compete, head to head with the best of the best. The fourth division recognizes kids, schools, and communities. You cannot celebrate them enough.
The benefit to the individual athlete is more opportunity. Last year there were 22 foot long jumpers cut out at the district level because of an overload of talent in one area of the state. More opportunity is the name of the game.
Funding for OHSAA is a completely valid thought process as they are a non profit that works for the schools and students and them going under is not beneficial. 3 divisions works but a 4 division format can as well.
While it may be individual in nature for most, the mantra of how your athletes competing view the sport makes no difference on everyone’s goal to reach the state meet. 4 divisions increases those chances for all and for many would actually open up possibilities that were not there before.
Not even small schools but mid sized benefit greatly. The difference between the top and bottom of D1 on graduating class size is 600 kids at least. Opportunity would open up for all kinds of schools. If you got to a piggyback meet style where D1/D2 and D3/D4 are happening at the same time not only will the venue be outstanding in atmosphere you can easily accommodate the entire 4 divisions at Jesse O. In trying financial times for OHSAA this also allow for an increase in revenue to provide for Ohio’s kids in the future as well.
I hear the drawback in level of competition but I promise you that the relay team that makes it as the 18th state qualifier in D4 won’t remember the competition level they will remember their experience. I also firmly believe that if you create an opportunity for success, talent will develop to fill that slot.
Two things:
1. It is unclear to me why there are 3 divisions in the sport of Track & Field at the state level. Every student athlete can compete in the sport within the season and participate in a conference championship. Track & Field is only a team sport when it comes to relays and scoring in the meet. I want to know what is the benefit to the athletes in a 4 tier system. Additional revenue for the OHSAA is not a valid reason.
2. The current structure of running the 3 division meet on one weekend may be cost effective and efficient for the OHSAA, but it is brutal on the athletes. No time for recovery for athletes in multiple events which leads to depressed performances and potential injuries.
Whatever is decided, the kids will participate to the best of their ability. Track & Field is largely an individual sport. Coaching and individual physiology has the most impact on performance outcomes, not school size. Their are many that would rather have a small, more focused team than a large diverse team. Another division would just probably further dilute the top 24 kids in current divisions to the point where the gap in performance for the qualifiers will be larger.