2018 Track Schedule Proposal

Dec 28, 2017

Every year when the track and field season comes around coaches start voicing their opinions about the order of events that Iowa high school athletes compete in. The common issues that are brought up by coaches are the lack of time between similar events, uneven proportions of sprinting events compared to distance events, and unusual events such as the shuttle hurdle relay. Below we have proposed different event schedules and different options of events to add or subtract.

If all events remain, this new schedule would allow events that are run by similar athletes the time and opportunity to compete in both. The way the schedule is formatted now, it is hard for distance athletes to run in the 3000/3200 meter and the 4X800. This would eliminate the common concerns coaches have about the current issue, but could raise new problems.

4X800 Meter Relay

100/110 meter hurdles

100 meter dash

100 meter wheelchair

1500/1600 meter run

1600 distance medley relay

4X100 meter relay

Shuttle hurdle relay

400 meter dash

400 meter wheelchair

4X200 meter relay

800 meter run

400 meter hurdles

200 meter run

3000/3200 meter run

800 sprint medley relay

4X400 meter relay

While this schedule would certainly help out the distance kids, who require more recovery time than a sprinter in-between events, it could hurt athletes who compete in sprinting events and hurdle events, as many of those would be run back-to-back.

Another proposal is removing some of the medleys and relays that are sprint and hurdle oriented. After removing the 3 events (shuttle hurdle relay, 800 sprint medley, and 1600 distance medley) there would be 2 hurdle events remaining (100/110 and 400), 2 distance events (1500/1600 and 3000/3200), 4 mid-distance events (400, 800, 4x4, 4x8), and 4 sprints events (200, 100, 4x1, 4x2).

4X800 Meter Relay

100/110 meter hurdles

100 meter dash

100 meter wheelchair

4X200 meter relay

1500/1600 meter run

4X100 meter relay

400 meter dash

400 meter wheelchair

400 meter hurdles

800 meter run

200 meter run

3000/3200 meter run

4X400 meter relay

This will even out the total number events for each area of competition. One big negative consequence in this schedule is reducing the number of events for kids to potentially qualify in for the State meet.

Another option is removing some of the events but adding different events to keep the number of kids that qualify to State higher. This would allow a similar number of kids to compete but would spread out the focus of events. The distance and sprint medley would be removed but the 200-yard low hurdles would return to the State meet. The 4XMile and the 5k would be added to competition. We also propose adding the triple jump into the mix. Iowa is one of the only states in the US that does not compete in this event. This change in events would make the spread more even between hurdles, sprints, mid-distance, distance, and field events so more athletes could compete at the State meet.

Hurdles	Sprints	Mid-Distance	Distance	Jumps	Throws
100/110 Hurdles	100 meter	400 meter	1500/1600 meter	Long Jump	Shotput
400 Hurdles	200 meter	4X400 meter	3000/3200 meter	Triple Jump	Discus
Sprint Hurdle Relay	4X100 meter	800	4XMile	High Jump	Javelin
200 yard low hurdles	4x200 meter relay	800 meter Relay	5000 meters

While this proposal would certainly even out the spread of events, it certainly comes with it's issues as well. The 200 yard low hurdles are a classic event, but could also be considered outdated, particularly in it's yard measurement. Another big issue would be high schoolers competing in the 5000. It is rare to see a high schooler compete in this distance on the track, but could help prepare them for collegiate competition. The 5K is a distance they would be familiar with, as they compete in it during the cross country season on uneven terrain and with hills, so putting on the track certainly wouldn't be any more physically taxing. However, the 5K on the track is a mental battle (12.5 laps is no joke!), and definitely could pose some potential risks for athletes as the temperatures warm up during the latter half of the season.

There are many different options that the state of Iowa could consider regarding events and scheduling. We would love to hear your suggestions as well! If you have a schedule that you think would work, Tweet it at us (@MilesplitIA), post it on our Facebook page (@MilesplitIA), or email it to iamilesplit@gmail.com.