OHSAA Creates Junior High Track and Field State Championship Event

COLUMBUS, OH - Junior high students will now have the opportunity to compete for statewide honors as part of the Ohio High School Athletic Association's (OHSAA) Inaugural 7th and 8th Grade Track and Field State Championships. The event will be held May 13, 2017 at Lancaster High School.

OHSAA says that the top 16 performers in field events will qualify for state championships. Running times must be obtained at a regular-season meet using automated timing. Athletes will be able to track the qualifying standards and who has qualified for the race at www.BaumsPage.com.

“Many people might not know that the OHSAA oversees 7th and 8th grade sports, too, for member junior high schools,” Dr.Dan Ross, OHSAA Commisioner said in a statement. “We have been looking at ways to expand our involvement with middle schools and expand opportunities for them to get involved in a tournament setting. This will accomplish both of those goals and show them that when they compete in an OHSAA tournament event, ideals like sportsmanship, respect and camaraderie are the most important lessons to be learned.”

OHSAA has been focused recently on creating junior high state championship events. The organization started the OHSAA Middle School Cross Country Invitational was created four years ago and is held every October.

Photo from Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons