Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are my individual results on MileSplit different than the results posted at the meet?
A: If a meet is hand-timed, results in races 400m and below must be converted. To convert a hand-timed result, round up to the nearest 0.10 and add 0.24. As an example, if your hand-timed result in the 100m dash is 11.16, you would round up to 11.20 and then add 0.24 for a converted time of 11.44.
Q: How do I qualify for the Outdoor State Championship meet?
A: There are two ways to qualify for the State Championship Track & Field meet. At the regional championship meet, you must 1) finish 1st or 2nd in the event or 2) have one of the next ten best qualifying times/marks in the event in the class.
Q: How do I qualify for the Indoor State Championship meet?
A: There is no regional championship meet for indoor track & field. The best 24 times/performances from the indoor season will qualify for the Indoor State Championship Track & Field meet. The time/performance must be achieved while representing a KHSAA member school. A school may only enter two athletes per event in the indoor state championship meet.
Q: How do I receive a letter in Track & Field?
A: Effective with the Spring 2024 season, there are four ways an athlete can letter in track and field. All athletes must compete in four varsity track and field meets to be considered for a letter. An athlete can letter by 1) meeting a qualifying time/mark in competition, 2) competing in the region championship track and field meet, 3) being named a region relay alternate and meeting specific criteria, or 4) qualifying for the indoor state championship. Details are included in our letter policy.
Q: Track and field practice starts before my winter sport ends. Can I still be on the track and field team?
A: Yes. Athletes that compete in a winter sport for Greenwood High School or Drakes Creek Middle School (basketball, swimming/diving, wrestling) may complete their season before coming to track & field practice for the outdoor track and field season. These athletes are expected to be at practice within one week of the end of post-season play (district, region, state). Athletes participating in Bowling or Cheer/Dance should practice with the track and field team a minimum of twice per week throughout their winter sport season. Please inform us that you intend to join the track and field team so we can include you in team communication. Indoor track and field is a winter sport, therefore athletes will likely not be able to meet practice requirements if they compete on another winter sport team.
Q: I thought about trying out for another spring sport or club/travel team. Can I be on both teams?
A: You will likely find that the practice and competition schedules will not allow you to participate on both teams. We expect track and field athletes to be at practice daily. However, If you desire to participate in multiple spring sports, you will be required to practice with the track and field team a minimum of three days per week. (Mondays and Wednesdays are non-negotiable for athletes that plan to compete in track events.) You will need to consult with the other coach and determine if you can meet the attendance requirements of both teams. Coach Garrett must approve a written proposal outlining your practice plan (see Team Rules & Expectations).
Q: What kind of shoes do I need to buy?
A: General running shoes are acceptable for pre-season/conditioning. As coaches determine the events you will compete in, you will likely want to purchase event specific shoes (i.e. sprinter spikes, distance spikes/flats, throwing shoes, jumping spikes).
Q: I heard you practice outside every day. Is that true?
A: Yes. It is rare that we do not practice outside. Athletes should be prepared to practice outside every day. Wear layers. Hats and gloves made of breathable fabric are recommended. Be prepared.
Q: Is there a try-out period? Do you cut athletes?
A: Athletes will be cut for the following reasons: 1) missing practice, 2) consistent poor effort at practice, 3) disciplinary problems, 4) failure to turn in a current physical and 5) missing three weeks due to academic ineligibility. See the Track & Field Team Rules & Expectations for details. There is no specific try-out period. Athletes can be cut at any time during the season.
Q: How do I know what events I will compete in?
A: Coaches will determine what events athletes will compete in. Athletes will be placed in events based on their abilities, training and needs of the team. Our goal is to win track and field meets. Athletes may be reassigned to different events throughout the season. Athletes are given the opportunity to challenge for a spot in all events throughout the season.
Q: Can middle school athletes compete on the varsity track and field team?
A: Middle school athletes may be invited to compete at the varsity level based on their skill and ability AND the needs of the varsity program. Middle school athletes with performances that demonstrate they can compete at the varsity level may be asked to join the varsity team on a permanent basis. In other instances, middle school athletes may be asked to compete in varsity meets as the schedule and varsity roster permit. Coaches review performances to determine if any athlete will receive an invitation to compete at the varsity level.
A: If a meet is hand-timed, results in races 400m and below must be converted. To convert a hand-timed result, round up to the nearest 0.10 and add 0.24. As an example, if your hand-timed result in the 100m dash is 11.16, you would round up to 11.20 and then add 0.24 for a converted time of 11.44.
Q: How do I qualify for the Outdoor State Championship meet?
A: There are two ways to qualify for the State Championship Track & Field meet. At the regional championship meet, you must 1) finish 1st or 2nd in the event or 2) have one of the next ten best qualifying times/marks in the event in the class.
Q: How do I qualify for the Indoor State Championship meet?
A: There is no regional championship meet for indoor track & field. The best 24 times/performances from the indoor season will qualify for the Indoor State Championship Track & Field meet. The time/performance must be achieved while representing a KHSAA member school. A school may only enter two athletes per event in the indoor state championship meet.
Q: How do I receive a letter in Track & Field?
A: Effective with the Spring 2024 season, there are four ways an athlete can letter in track and field. All athletes must compete in four varsity track and field meets to be considered for a letter. An athlete can letter by 1) meeting a qualifying time/mark in competition, 2) competing in the region championship track and field meet, 3) being named a region relay alternate and meeting specific criteria, or 4) qualifying for the indoor state championship. Details are included in our letter policy.
Q: Track and field practice starts before my winter sport ends. Can I still be on the track and field team?
A: Yes. Athletes that compete in a winter sport for Greenwood High School or Drakes Creek Middle School (basketball, swimming/diving, wrestling) may complete their season before coming to track & field practice for the outdoor track and field season. These athletes are expected to be at practice within one week of the end of post-season play (district, region, state). Athletes participating in Bowling or Cheer/Dance should practice with the track and field team a minimum of twice per week throughout their winter sport season. Please inform us that you intend to join the track and field team so we can include you in team communication. Indoor track and field is a winter sport, therefore athletes will likely not be able to meet practice requirements if they compete on another winter sport team.
Q: I thought about trying out for another spring sport or club/travel team. Can I be on both teams?
A: You will likely find that the practice and competition schedules will not allow you to participate on both teams. We expect track and field athletes to be at practice daily. However, If you desire to participate in multiple spring sports, you will be required to practice with the track and field team a minimum of three days per week. (Mondays and Wednesdays are non-negotiable for athletes that plan to compete in track events.) You will need to consult with the other coach and determine if you can meet the attendance requirements of both teams. Coach Garrett must approve a written proposal outlining your practice plan (see Team Rules & Expectations).
Q: What kind of shoes do I need to buy?
A: General running shoes are acceptable for pre-season/conditioning. As coaches determine the events you will compete in, you will likely want to purchase event specific shoes (i.e. sprinter spikes, distance spikes/flats, throwing shoes, jumping spikes).
Q: I heard you practice outside every day. Is that true?
A: Yes. It is rare that we do not practice outside. Athletes should be prepared to practice outside every day. Wear layers. Hats and gloves made of breathable fabric are recommended. Be prepared.
Q: Is there a try-out period? Do you cut athletes?
A: Athletes will be cut for the following reasons: 1) missing practice, 2) consistent poor effort at practice, 3) disciplinary problems, 4) failure to turn in a current physical and 5) missing three weeks due to academic ineligibility. See the Track & Field Team Rules & Expectations for details. There is no specific try-out period. Athletes can be cut at any time during the season.
Q: How do I know what events I will compete in?
A: Coaches will determine what events athletes will compete in. Athletes will be placed in events based on their abilities, training and needs of the team. Our goal is to win track and field meets. Athletes may be reassigned to different events throughout the season. Athletes are given the opportunity to challenge for a spot in all events throughout the season.
Q: Can middle school athletes compete on the varsity track and field team?
A: Middle school athletes may be invited to compete at the varsity level based on their skill and ability AND the needs of the varsity program. Middle school athletes with performances that demonstrate they can compete at the varsity level may be asked to join the varsity team on a permanent basis. In other instances, middle school athletes may be asked to compete in varsity meets as the schedule and varsity roster permit. Coaches review performances to determine if any athlete will receive an invitation to compete at the varsity level.