On Friday the NJSIAA XC Committee met once again to go over details for the coming fall, winter, and spring seasons. While it's understood this is a fluid situation, the modified look of the New Jersey cross country is starting to take shape. Below you'll find the notes from the meeting discussion.
Released: 2020 Cross Country Regulations
Cross Country
On as planned, regulations have been posted.
- As already announced due to overbooking at the Central Park of Morris County (Greystone), the North 2 and South Non-Public A&B meets will move to Oak Ridge Park.
- No race day roster changes at Sectionals, will email any changes to the NJSIAA at a set deadline before the meet.
- If running a meet with varsity and JV at a park it is recommended to split the dates, parks won't close down just for the meets.
- Additional FAQs will be released next week regarding fall sports.
- If you are adjusting from the set 4 team and 48 athlete (12 per roster) standard you must reach out to Bill Bruno with details for permission to hold meet in that style, bbruno@njsiaa.org.
- If you have more schools than the 4 recommended for batch meets, roster sizes must be limited down to 7 athletes from 12. If you have more teams then they have to be split into waves.
Winter Track & Field
Latest update is there will be a condensed season this winter that runs from December 21st through February 17th.
Keep in mind that this is a fluid situation, things may and will likely change as we move along towards winter.
- NJSIAA State Relays are canceled again due to the new Sectional meet format.
- 18 separate Sectional Meets, running from February 3rd through 16th. A Sectional Championship each week day and two meets a day on weekends.
- Reduction of individual entries per event from 3 to 2 for each school.
- Open lanes for social distancing in the hurdles, dash, and 400m.
- Out of State Competition: Yes, however it must be limited to New Jersey teams at the site. Can use out of state sites with permission, but can only host New Jersey teams.
- No Spectators at the Bubble: Bubble capacity is 1,500, taking into consideration the reduction for indoor crowds the decision has been made to have no spectators. This will make it possible to house all the athletes for each meet and meet social distancing guidelines.
- Only those competing at meets: Teams must limit the number of athletes to only those who are competing. No one there to hangout.
- Bubble Safety Measures: Whole new air conditioning system, just put in two new heaters and rebuilt chutes for it. Disinfecting efforts and standards being worked on by the staff for equipment and facilities.
- Details on clerking the meets and handing out race numbers safely are being worked on, open to suggestions. Trying to avoid the crowds of coaches checking in, and athletes receiving lane assignments.
- Indoor regulations will be posted in October.
Spring Track & Field
Hoping for a normal spring season. NJSIAA will prepare as if we are going forward normally, will be reaching out to the 10 Sectional and two Group sites about their status for hosting the meets.
- Rutgers track site construction moving along quickly, still set to host Meet of Champs.
- Hoping for lights at Rutgers track next year.
- The dates for Sectionals, Groups, and the Meet of Champions are still being worked out.