The NCAA News - News and FeaturesJuly 21, 1997
Committee seeks events, longer race for women
Women's cross country championships competitors will have a longer distance to run beginning in 1998, while women's outdoor track and field competitors may have a few more hurdles and barriers to clear in the near future.
During the annual meeting of the NCAA Men's and Women's Track and Field Committee June 23-28 in Hilton Head, South Carolina:
The Divisions I and II subcommittees voted to extend to 6,000 meters the length of their women's cross country championships races effective in 1998.
The Divisions II and III subcommittees recommended to their respective division championships committees that the women's pole vault be added to the championships.
All three subcommittees voted to recommend to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet and the Divisions II and III Championships Committees that the 3,000-meter women's steeplechase be added to the outdoor track and field championships effective in 2001.
The Divisions I and II subcommittees noted several reasons for lengthening the women's cross country race, including that the national junior championships are contested at 6,000 meters. The subcommittees also believe that lengthening the race will result in an increase in the number of women's competitors who will become involved in distance running. The women's championships race currently is contested over 5,000 meters.
In a related action, the track and field committee approved a rules change permitting women's races to be contested between 5,000 and 8,000 meters effective in 1998. Currently, a women's race is 5,000 meters, unless mutually agreed upon by the coaches or determined by the games committee.
With regard to the pole vault, the Divisions II and III subcommittee recommended to their respective championships committees that the event be added to both the indoor and outdoor championships.
The recommended effective dates are 1998 in Division II and 1999 in Division III. The women's pole vault will make its debut as an NCAA-sponsored event at the 1998 Division I indoor track championships.
As for the steeplechase, the track and field committee recommended that it replace the 3,000-meter run at the outdoor track and field championships.
The committee also will recommend that USA Track and Field adopt a water jump that is 45 centimeters less than the current water jump used by men.
The Division III subcommittee also recommended to the championships committee that the outdoor championships be reduced from a four-day to three-day event effective in 1998. If approved, qualifying rounds would be eliminated in the field events and 3,000- and 5,000-meter runs.
Division I actions
The Division I subcommittee of the Men's and Women's Track and Field Committee also took the following actions:
Determined that the minimum field sizes for all events (except for relays) shall be 15 at the indoor championships and 17 at the outdoor championships. The minimum field sizes for relays shall remain at 10.
Eliminated indoor championships qualifying rounds in the 3,000- and 5,000-meter runs, and semifinal rounds in the 55-meter dash and 55-meter hurdles.
Replaced the term "district" with "region" in references to cross country geographical areas, and renamed the specific areas as follows: District I is now the Northeast region; District II becomes the Mid-Atlantic region; District III, the Southeast region; District IV, the Great Lakes region; District V, the Midwest region; District VI, the South Central region; District VII, the Mountain region; District VIII, the West region; and District IX, the South region.
Revised men's and women's cross country championships qualifying criteria so that wins against teams qualified for nationals are considered before results of head-to-head competition between teams being considered for selection.
Division II actions
The Division II subcommittee also took the following actions:
Recommended that Long Island University/C. W. Post Campus serve as host of the 1997 East region cross country championships.
Determined that a cross country regional championship cannot be held at a site 3,199 feet or more above sea level (see altitude sites in track and field/cross country rules book) unless a majority of institutions within the region approve such a site.
Division III actions
The Division III subcommittee also took the following actions:
Determined that quickscore is permissible at the cross country championships if the host institution has the capability and the Division III subcommittee approves the process.
Recommended that the Division III championships committee allow open races with rostered student-athletes at the cross country regional championships.
Determined that field-events qualifying for the outdoor championships can be contested indoors during inclement weather.
Determined that declarations for the indoor and outdoor championships shall take place for 24 hours before the championships. Declarations may commence at noon (local time of host institution) Sunday before the championships and continue through noon Monday (local time of host institution).
Determined that declarations for the cross country regional championships shall take place Sunday before the regionals effective with the 1997 championships. Previously, declarations were conducted on the evening before the regional championships.
Rules actions
The NCAA Men's and Women's Track and Field Committee took the following actions pertaining to rules during its June 23-28 meeting in Hilton Head, South Carolina:
Adopted language prohibiting student-athletes or meet personnel (coaches, trainers, managers and officials) from using tobacco during practice and competition. (Position Statement)
Determined that the track may be bordered on the inside by a curb of concrete, wood or suitable material a minimum of 5.08 centimeters (2 inches) in height and width. The edges of the curb shall be rounded. (Rule 1-1-2)
Determined that the insert used in throwing-event circles shall be made of metal or suitable rigid material (rubber is not suitable) and be flush with the throwing surface. The height of the insert shall be 19.05 millimeters (0.75 inch), plus or minus 6 millimeters. (Rule 1-7-5)
Determined that if it is decided that a student-athlete who is injured in an event cannot compete in that event, the student-athlete shall be scratched from subsequent events in the current meet. (Rule 3-21)
Clarified the uniform rule to state that bare midriff tops are not acceptable. (Note: The uniform top must meet or hang below the waist band when the competitor is standing.) Uniforms must allow for competitors' numbers to be placed above the waist (front and back) and for hip numbers to be placed on the hip, not on the leg or thigh. Uniform tops must not obscure hip numbers. (Rule 4-2-1)
Determined that in championships meets, if 15 or fewer competitors report for the 1,500 meters, the event shall be run as a final. (Rule 5-11-9-e)
Determined that in championships meets, if 18 or fewer competitors report for the 3,000 or 5,000 meters or steeplechase, the events shall be run as finals. (Rule 5-11-9-f)
Determined that in the high jump, two marks may be used, each with a single piece of tape not longer than 15 centimeters (6 inches). The mark(s) cannot be located within two meters of either standard and must be made with tape as approved by meet management. The use of unacceptable material shall lead to the disqualification of the competitor. After the warm-up and before competition, the high-jump official shall ask all competitors to identify their designated mark(s). All other marks shall be removed. (Rule 6-4-5)
Determined that it shall not be a foul throw if a competitor causes the discus to touch any part of the cage. (Rule 6-8-3)
Determined that the length of a women's cross country race shall be from 5,000 to 8,000 meters, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by the coaches or determined by the games committee. (Rule 8-2-1-b)
Determined that hammer handles are not permissible on indoor weight-throw implements. (Rule 10-9-4)
Revised the grip of the weight-throw implement to state that the grip may be of round metal, not to exceed 1.27 centimeters (0.5 inch) in diameter. It shall be triangular with no side to exceed 19 centimeters (7.5 inches), inside measurement. It must be rigid, without hinge supports of any kind and constructed so that it cannot stretch appreciably while the implement is being thrown. It must be attached to the welded steel line in such a manner that it cannot be turned within the loop of the welded-steel line to increase the overall length of the implement. (Rule 10-9-5)
Recommended that to ensure the safety of spectators, officials and competitors, all weight throws be made from an enclosure or cage constructed as follows: (a) There shall be two moveable panels at the front of the screen. These panels shall be 1.30 meters (4.27 feet) in width (see Note 1). (b) The height of the cage shall be at least 3.66 meters (12 feet).
Note 1: When these panels are in place for a right-handed thrower, the panel on the left side shall intersect the left sector line at a 90 degree angle. The panel on the right side shall be open parallel to the right sector line. The panels shall be alternated for left-handed throwers.
Note 2: A weight-throw cage is designed to provide limited protection for spectators, officials and competitors. It does not ensure the safety of the aforementioned personnel.
|
