Age group track is just as
the name implies: track & field competition based on an athlete's age in
the current calendar year. The age group divisions for USATF competition in 2006
are as follows:
Young Men/Women (YM/YW) -
born in 1988 or 1989, or in 1987 on or after July 30
Intermediate Boys/Girls
(IB/IG) - born in 1990 or 1991
Youth Boys/Girls (YB/YG) -
born in 1992 or 1993
Midget Boys/Girls (MB/MG)
- born in 1994 or 1995
Bantam Boys/Girls (BB/BG)
- born in 1996 or 1997
Sub-Bantam Boys/Girls
(SBB/SBG) -born in 1998 or later
Example: A child turns 13
on
USA Track & Field is
the national governing body of track & field. Before any athlete may
register for and compete in a USATF-sanctioned meet, whether as a member of the
Wildcats Track Club or not,
he/she must first become a member of USATF. Any athlete wishing to join Wildcats Track Club
must complete a USATF membership application online www.usatf.org or (which
the club will provide) and return it to the club along with proof-of-age
verification (a copy of a birth certificate). The athlete is encouraged to
apply for their USATF membership as soon as possible to ensure that they have
their USATF membership card (usually called a "USATF card" or
sometimes, by the more grizzled veterans of summer track, a "TAC
card") in hand before their first meet or practice.
Both Youth Athletic and
Junior Olympic meets are sanctioned by USA Track & Field, and the same
events are offered in both. Athletes in the Young Men/Women, Intermediate, and
Youth age groups may compete in up to four (4) events, while Midgets and
Bantams may compete in up to three (3) events. Combined event competitions do
not count against an athlete's event limit.
Youth Athletic (also
called "Youth" or "Age Group") meets are open to all
USATF-member athletes. The entry procedure for each Youth meet will be
explained at club practices, usually within a week or two of the meet. Any
USATF-member athlete may register for and compete at any Youth meet. All meets
on the competition schedule are Youth meets except those which include the
phrase "Junior Olympic".
Junior Olympic (or
"JO") meets are based on a stair-stepping program of qualifying
meets, leading to the National Junior Olympic meet.
The advancement procedure looks like this:
Southern California
Association JO meet - The top eight (8) in each individual event and top eight
(8) in each relay event from this meet qualify for the Regional JO meet.
Regional JO meet - The top
three (3) in each individual and relay event from this meet qualify for the
National JO meet.
Our 2006 meet schedule can
be found on the Meets page of our website. An athlete wishing to compete as SOC Wildcats Track
Club in any of these meets must first become a member of the
club. After practices begin in Jan, we have a few tune-up meets in Feb-March,
then the competition season Apr-July will start, with meets held generally each
weekend. As information on each of these meets becomes available to the club,
it will be relayed to the athletes during the each practice.
SOC
Wildcats track
practice season begins in late January and ends in late July. Most practices,
as well as some meetings and other club functions are held at
Please show up on time so
you have enough time to properly warm up and stretch. Practices usually last
about 60 to 75 minutes and are followed by a team meeting, where the coaches
will share important club news, such as information on upcoming meets and
practices and to recognize athlete accomplishments. If the athlete needs to
leave practice early for any reason, it is their responsibility to inform the
head coach at the beginning of practice.
SOC
Wildcats cross
country practice may be held at various locations. Please check the Schedule to
see which days at which locations. All practices begin at
Our basic philosophy on
practice is that our coaches cannot help the athlete unless he/she is at
practice. SOC Wildcats practices
are very
demanding. If the athlete is not coming to practice to work hard, then
maybe Wildcats Track is not for them. We would like the
athlete to attend as many practices as is possible, but also encourage them to
participate in other sports that they enjoy. If the athlete needs to miss a
practice for any reason, the coaches can give them a workout so they can
practice on their own. The harder the athlete works in practice, and on his or
her own outside of practice, the better they will perform in meets.
The
Wildcats uniforms
are custom designed and consist of a speed suit or a singlet
& shorts and warm-ups. Our team colors Navy Blue and Gold. Uniforms will be
issued to each club member all the registration process is completed. Any
variation to the uniform must be first cleared with the head coach.
Athletes will represent SOC Wildcats by wearing the uniform at
all USATF meets, including any award, opening, and/or closing ceremonies, and
as directed by the head coach. Shoe choice and style is up to the athlete.
Parents are also encouraged to represent the club at meets by wearing a Wildcats shirt or warm-ups which both may be
purchased from the Club.
What is the parents' role in Wildcats Track Club?
Parents are strongly
encouraged to be involved in the support of Wildcats
Track. We need support in any other fund-raising
activities during the year that we may hold.