WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUTH ATHLETIC AND JUNIOR OLYMPIC MEETS?
•Both Youth Athletic and Junior Olympic meets are sanctioned by USA Track and Field. •Youth Athletic (also know as “age group”) meets are open to all USATF-member athletes. •The entry procedure for each meet will be explained at practices, usually within two weeks of the meet. •Any USATF-member athlete may register for and compete at any youth meet, with a few exceptions, for example the Youth National meet where the athlete must meet or exceed the performance standards, (i.e. run a certain time or jump or throw a certain distance). •All meets on the competition schedule are Youth meets except those whose name includes the phrase “Junior Olympic”. Junior Olympic (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: The Pacific Association Championship advances the top eight in each individual and relay event, to the Region 14 JO Championship. •At the Region 14 JO meet the top three
