TRACK AND FIELD

Coaches Advisory Committee Meeting

September 7, 2005

 

MINUTES

 

 

This summary represents the recommendations of this Committee and is not to be construed as a change of existing rules or regulations.  Final action on all items will be taken by the Board of Control at their October meeting. 

 

Committee Members:  Vince Lease (Fennimore), Carla Elliott (Marathon), Keith Klestinski (Marquette), Mike Olson (Stevens Point), Darin Shepardson (Onalaska), Vince Komar (Waukesha North), and Mark Maas (Whitewater).    Marcy Thurwachter attended the meeting representing the WIAA.   Bill Richards (Ozaukee) was not in attendance.  The meeting was chaired by Mark Maas and the minutes were recorded by Marcy Thurwachter.

 

 

I.          SEASON REGULATIONS

 

A.         Minutes

 

                        Last year's minutes and action taken by the Board of Control were reviewed. 

 

                        It was recommended to accept the minutes.  Passed unanimously. 

 

B.         Season Regulations

 

The 2005 WIAA Spring Edition of Season Regulations, pages 47-51 were reviewed.

 

C.         Prohibition of Practice at a Meet Site

 

The committee has asked the WIAA to review its interpretation of the prohibition of practice at a meet site as it relates to individual athletes without their coaches.   

 

D.         Language for Starting Commands

 

The committee shared concerns that the current procedures could allow athletes/coaches to gain an unfair advantage.  Marcy will solicit input from officials. 

 

E.                  Hammer Throw

 

It was recommended to add the hammer throw to the list of events not allowed.  Passed unanimously.     

 

F.                  Steeplechase

 

Inclusion of the steeplechase in banned events was deferred to WISTCA caucus. 

 

G.                 Weighing Pole Vaulters

 

This past season Marcy received reports that some vaulters were vaulting on poles that were too light.  Since the current policy requires the vaulter to weigh at the beginning of the season and recommends updates officials do not have the means to verify the athlete’s weight.  This raises the question of whether pole vaulters should be weighed on site before each competition.  A lengthy discussion regarding this issue took place.  Vince Komar, representing the Pole Vault Coaches Association, went on record opposed to this suggestion.  His concerns were as follows:

 

1.                   Creates atmosphere with emphasis on weight. 

2.                   Forces athletes into unprepared situation when they are suddenly “overweight.”

3.                   Same weight rated pole can have three different flex ratings, which is a truer indication of pole bend. 

4.                   Must scales be certified?

5.                   Administration of process. 

 

Vince Lease commented that coaches that cheat would continue to do so.  Only way to prevent cheating is to weigh vaulters on site.  Keith Klestinski asked if this was a safety or rule issue.  A compromise solution was finally advanced. 

 

It was recommended that athletes must weigh, in the presence of the athletic director and head track coach three times per season; Week 36 or prior to the first competition, and no sooner than weeks 40 and 46.  The pole vaulter’s weight must be recorded on the Weight Verification Form as per NFHS (Rule 7-5-3).  One copy of the form must be kept on file with each member school and be available on request by meet officials prior to each competition.  Failure to comply with weigh-in procedures will result in disqualification from that event.  Passed unanimously. 

 

H.                  Clarification of High Jump/Pole Vault Language

 

Confusion regarding the use of the words “hold” and “pass” was discussed.  “Hold” is saving a jump.  “Pass” means to give up that attempt.  In the high jump and pole vault, athletes, if their first attempt is a miss, are required to either take their second attempt or pass.  Holding the second attempt is not an option. 

 

I.                     Jewelry Rule Penalty

 

It was recommended to change the current NFHS penalty for wearing jewelry.  Individuals discovered wearing jewelry will not be allowed to compete until jewelry is removed.  If jewelry is discovered during or after completion of the event the individual will be warned that a second offense will result in disqualification from further competition.  Rule 4-3-4 New Penalty.  Reporting official must notify the Meet Referee who will record the violation.  Passed unanimously. 

 

 

II.          TOURNAMENT PROCEDURES

 

A.                  Tournament Regulations

 

The 2005 WIAA Spring Edition of Season Regulations, pages 52-63 were reviewed.

 

B.                  Change in Entry Deadline

 

It was recommended to change the entry deadline to no later than midnight Thursday, prior to the regionals.  Passed unanimously. (3, f, (2)), page 52

 

C.         Substitutions

 

It was recommended to delete substitutions for individuals already entered in event(s), unless:

1).  Coach presents a medical statement or   2). WIAA approves a change.  Passed unanimously.  (3, f (6), page 53

 

D.         Sectionals use Regional Performances

 

It is recommended to clarify language in the Spring Edition of Season Regulations on page 56.  “Sectionals use actual regional performances (time, height, distance) not regional performances places.  Passed unanimously. 

 

E.                  Qualifying from Preliminaries to Finals

 

Qualifying from preliminaries to finals will be the winner in each heat, plus the next fastest times from any heat until all available lanes are filled with a maximum of nine, Field Events advance nine regardless of the number of lanes on the track.”  Passed unanimously.  (4, f), page 57

 

F.                  FAT Timing

 

1.         FAT Conversion

 

It was recommended to change FAT conversion to “As per NFHS rulebook conversion .24 for all races.”  Passed unanimously.  (4, g, 1 (b)), page 57

 

2.                   Regional Sites Without FAT Convert Times

 

It was recommended that “Regional sites that do not have FAT must convert their manual times to FAT as per NFHS Rule 3-9-4.  Delete current language, page 58.  Passed unanimously.  (4, g, 1 (c)), page 58

 

G.         Field Event Implements

 

It was recommended that all field event implements must be weighed at regional, sectional, and state meets prior to the start of competition.  Passed unanimously.  (4, h, 6), page 58

 

H.         High Jump Increments

 

It was recommended that at regionals, sectionals, and State in the high jump “the bar must be raised two inches each time until three six competitors remain.  The bar thereafter will be raised one inch at a time.  Passed unanimously.  (4, i, 2 (b)), page 58

 

I.                     Pole Vault Increments

 

It was recommended at regionals, sectionals, and State in the pole vault “The bar must be raised six inches each time until three six competitors remain.  The bar thereafter will be raised three inches at a time.”  Passed unanimously.  (4, i, 3 (b)), page 58

 

J.                   State Meet

 

1.                   Proposed State Meet Session Schedule

 

Results of the recently completed WIAA/WISTCA Survey were reviewed (see Attachment A).

 

2.         Friday Format

 

It was recommended to accept the session format for Friday of the State Meet (see Attachment B).  Passed unanimously.  (5, a), page 59

3.                   Division 1 800 Meter Run

 

Discussion of situation occurring in Division 1 800 Meter Run when there is at least one extra qualifier.  This resulted in three sections being run.  The nine lane track at UW-La Crosse can handle 13 or more runners.  It was recommended that the 800 Meter Run at State be contested in two sections, regardless of the number of athletes competing.  Page 60; Note #6  Passed unanimously. 

 

4.                   Heat/Humidity

 

Marcy reported concerns regarding current language for heat/humidity at State Meet.  A better plan would be to run 3200 Meter Run in the evening.  It was recommended that if heat/humidity cause safety concerns the 3200 Meter Run would be run as the last event on both Friday and Saturday.  Page 60; Note #2.  Passed unanimously.

 

5.                   Order of Events, Jim Hanke, Waukesha North High School

 

Correspondence from Jim Hanke was discussed.  Jim Hanke is requesting the order of events at regionals and sectionals be switched each year to allow girls to triple in the distance events.  Item was referred to WISTCA caucus. 

 

WISTCA would like to see a set time schedule for Division 1 sectionals.  Many coaches have expressed concerns with the lack of rest in the meet and felt that meet managers were racing to get done.  WISTCA will provide the schedule. 

 

6.                   Boys’ Pole Vault

 

Vince Komar expressed concerns with the running of the Boy’s State Pole Vault.  In particular, the placement of the standards, use of metric rather than English, and general inefficiency.  Marcy will review procedures with the vault officials. 

 

K.                  Division 1 Sectional Time Schedule

 

It was recommended that a set time schedule be used for Division 1 Sectionals (see Attachment C).  Passed unanimously. 

 

 

III.         TRACK & FIELD RULES

 

            A.         National Federation Major Rules Revisions

 

The National Federation Track and Field/Cross Country Major Rules Revisions for the 2006 season were reviewed. 

 

 

IV.        MISCELLANEOUS

 

A.         Items for Special Emphasis at the WIAA Track & Field Sports Meetings Include:

 

1.                   Preparing for the State Meet.

2.                   Pole Vault Weight Verification Form.

3.                   Jewelry Rule Penalty.

4.                   New State Format.

 

B.                  Moving the State Meet, Mark Happel, Verona Area High School

 

Correspondence from Mark Happel was discussed.  The committee felt splitting the State Meet was not desirable and most likely not possible from an administrative point.

 

C.         Current Qualifying Procedure

 

The meeting closed with reassurance from Mark Maas that the coaches are satisfied with the current qualifying procedures.  Although there are some coaches who would like to see a move to a qualifying standard the majority of coaches feel that the current method is the most advantageous.  Mark and others also shared their impressions of the new UW-Oshkosh facility.  Marcy updated the committee on UW-Oshkosh’s plan.  Doug Chickering and Marcy will be touring UW-Oshkosh on September 15. 

 

D.         Adjournment

 

            The meeting was adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

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