Clarke Central High School track and field athletes sprint to the finish line during warm-ups on the Billy Henderson Stadium track on March 22. During their preparation for their upcoming meets, CCHS athletes and coaches worked on acclimating to the new rules and practice atmosphere after the 2020-21 pandemic year. “So recently in Georgia, you can only compete in four events (at track and field meets), but it’s any combination of four events. That’s different from the past where you could compete in five, but it was a variation,” physical education department teacher and head varsity track coach Justin Jones said. Photo by Emily Couch
CCHS track and field athletes have been adapting to the introduction of new guidelines for the 2021-22 season.
Amid the 2021-22 school year, Clarke Central High School track and field athletes and coaches have been adjusting to the new rules and regulations set in place by the Georgia High School Association.
Starting this season, GHSA added two new events, the 4×800 and 4×200 meter relay. During practices, the track and field coaches have prepared the athletes for the modified changes within meets.
“The last two years, two new events have been added (to track and field meets),” physical education department teacher and head track coach Justin Jones said. “There also have been some other structural changes when it comes to the amount of events that an athlete can participate in and also the combination of the events.”
As a senior, runner Zachary Johnson has experienced the adjustments in meet regulations and working with the coaches to find the events best suited for him.
“I don’t think the rule really affects us too much because one less race gives us more rest time and the rest is definitely needed during our meets,” Johnson said. “And the coaches do a great job with picking out what events are best for us. Coach Jones has a great plan for me every week.”
“The coaches do a great job with picking out what events are best for us. Coach Jones has a great plan for me every week.”
— Zachary Johnson,
runner and senior
With the new events being added to the sport, Jones has worked on helping his athletes succeed at meets by strategizing the different events they participate in.
“From our standpoint, as coaches, our staff feels like it becomes more strategy, especially if you’re looking to know philosophically for us (because) we want to do well in our region (8-AAAAA) and our sectional state meet,” Jones said. “Then finally at the state league, we will position our athletes in the best way to maximize their possibility to advance.”
