What to Expect at a Track & Field Meet
New to track & field? Whether you're brand new to our Wolfpack elementary program or a seasoned parent, here's what you can expect at our Wolfpack elementary track & field meets.
Get Ready!
● Athletes can register for up to 3 individual events AND the 4x100m relay. Please communicate with your coach about these. Most importantly: make sure your athlete knows what events they are doing.
● Please review the schedule of events. We go from youngest to oldest, girls and then boys.
● Make sure your athlete WEARS THEIR WOLFPACK TEAM T-SHIRT! It's their uniform!
● Make sure your athlete packs water and a snack, is wearing sunscreen, and has appropriate footwear. Also make sure they have a jacket. May in Utah can have almost ANY weather! We've had 100° temps and we've had rain. We will have concessions selling water, sports drinks, and snacks, but do not count on these to keep your athlete hydrated and fed.
● Please make sure your athlete knows what age division they are in. It goes by birth year, not their current age.
Pups - born 2018+
Gamma - born 2016-2017
Beta - born 2014-2015
Epsilon - born 2013-2012
At the Track!
● Arrive at least 30 minutes before the meet starts to find your coach and have time to warm up. Look for a feather banner that matches your team color.
● Your coach will give each athlete a sticker to put on the FRONT of their shirt. This will have their race number, name, and will be color-coded for their age division.
● Once your athlete is checked in with their coach, they will warm up their team.
● If it's raining, we will advise coaches to also write their athlete's number on their hand with a marker in case the sticker falls off.
The infield is closed to spectators!
● The infield will be closed to ALL spectators. Only coaches, athletes, volunteers, meet officials, and medical personnel will be allowed on the infield and track.
WHY? This keeps everything safer for runners and spectators and allows the meet to run more smoothly. Far too often, spectators have wandered onto the infield with younger children and have been physically in the way when a race is happening. Athletes or spectators can get hurt. This can also cause delays in the meet itself. Please explain this to your athletes so they know you will not be with them at their events.
● Athletes will sit with their pack until their heat or race is called.
● Timing equipment will be set up around the finish line and we hope to make it clear with flagging that athletes and volunteers should walk around, not through it. Please advise athletes to avoid the area unless they are in a race.
Racing Events!
● The announcer will call for each running event to check in at the "bullpen," (the tents on the infield). There will be a 1st, 2nd and FINAL call for each race.
● Running events take priority over field events. If your athlete is in line to do javelin or long jump, they need to do their race and then go back to the field event. Missed races cannot be made up!
● Please pay attention to the flow of the meet. It is ultimately the PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITY to get their athlete to events.
● There will likely be multiple heats of each running event. Heat sheets will be posted and copies given to coaches. Heats will be broken down by age and gender.
● The 100m dash will have 8 athletes per heat, 1 per lane. They MUST stay in their lane when racing and after they finish until volunteers tell them they can leave. This ensures we have the correct times for each athlete.
● The 1600m and 400m races will run a "waterfall start." This type of start has all athletes on a curved start line. After the start gun, they may move into lane 1 safely. No pushing or tripping is allowed. No running through the infield is allowed either. When they are finished, a volunteer will record their finish order and race number.
Field Events!
● Both javelin and long jump will be going during all of the running events. Please try and have your athlete go during their designated time for their age group and gender.
● There will be separate pits for boys and girls.
● Please have your athlete check in with the official.
● Athletes are given 3 attempts. Their best one will be the recorded one.
● Again, running events take priority and CANNOT be made up if missed. Athletes can come back to long jump or javelin if they have to leave to run a race; even if their designated time has passed.
Awards!
● Racing times and winners will be posted AFTER the event has been completed. This is after ALL heats are done.
● Field event results will only be posted after EVERY athlete has competed.
● Awards will be given to the top 6 in each division.
● Winning a heat does NOT mean they win the event. The top 6 in each age division will receive awards.
● Please be patient while our timer works hard to get all of the results verified and posted.
● If you and your athlete need to leave before final results are posted, we will make sure your coach receives any awards your athlete may have earned.
● The 4x100m relay is just a fun event. Since we let age divisions and genders mix, we don't do awards for this event.
● If anyone needs medical attention or are not feeling well, please go to the medical tent for assistance.
BEST OF LUCK to all of our athletes competing!!
