News Summary

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) is introducing a new five-division format for track and field starting in the 2026 season. This change aims to enhance competitive balance across spring sports and will impact scheduling and divisional assignments for schools. With specific dates set for regional competitions and a four-day state meet to be held at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, athletes are gearing up for an exciting new chapter in Ohio track and field.

Exciting Changes Ahead for Track and Field in Ohio!

Hello, sports fans and track enthusiasts! Buckle up, because there’s some big news coming out of Ohio regarding track and field competitions. Starting with the 2026 season, the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) is shaking things up with a brand new five-division format for track and field! This means a fresh approach to how athletes will compete and showcase their talents.

Why the Change?

You might be wondering, why is this happening? The new five-division setup is part of the OHSAA’s ongoing efforts for competitive balance across various sports. Aside from track and field, this change will also impact other spring sports like softball and baseball. It’s all about making the competition fairer and more exciting for everyone involved!

What Does This New Format Look Like?

With this new format, a public calendar detailing the schedules has been released, and it’s packed with important dates that athletes need to mark on their calendars. For those competing in Division I, get ready for “super regional” preliminaries on May 19! Just keep in mind, if there’s an official shortage in a district, the prelims may shift to May 18.

As for the other three divisions (Divisions II-V), the district athletic boards will work behind the scenes to decide the meet schedules. Expect to see those announced by late January, which will give teams some time to prepare for the upcoming season.

Regional Week and State Championship Details

Although we are diving into a new format, the familiar structure of a four-day regional week will remain unchanged, but with some adjustments to align with the new divisions. Semifinals for Division II and Division IV are set for May 27, and the other divisions will follow up with their semifinals on May 28.

Make sure to save the date for regional finals as well! Division II and Division IV will compete on May 29, while Division I, III, and V finalists will take to the track on May 30.

Mark Your Calendars for the State Meet!

In what’s sure to be a thrilling series of events, the state meet, which has traditionally taken place over just two days, will now span a full four days at the iconic Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at Ohio State. From June 4 to June 7, athletes will have a jam-packed schedule! Preliminary events for Divisions IV and V, plus Day 1 field events, will kick off on June 4.

On June 5, fans can anticipate finals and Day 2 field events for Divisions IV and V, alongside prelims for Division III. The excitement continues on June 6 with prelims and field events for Division I and II, capped off with Division III finals. Finally, everything culminates on June 7 with finals for Divisions I and II, along with the last of the Day 2 field events.

Understanding the Divisional Assignments

Now, let’s talk about who will be competing in these divisions. The OHSAA has already laid out the divisional assignments along with specific enrollment figures for each program:

  • Division I: Mentor (852), Euclid (591), Riverside (529)
  • Division II: North (505), Mayfield (437), South (399), Brush (375), Harvey (353), Chardon (343), University (312), Madison (306), Kenston (294), Geneva (271)
  • Division III: West Geauga (248), Hawken (245), NDCL (223), Benedictine (213), VASJ (209), Perry (201), Chagrin Falls (186), Beachwood (181)
  • Division IV: Gilmour (177), Lake Catholic (170), Berkshire (162), Wickliffe (153), Kirtland (139), Richmond Heights (127)
  • Division V: Cardinal (78), Fairport (65), Andrews Osborne (33)

While we’re gearing up for these thrilling changes, it’s fascinating to reflect on how the previous divisions operated under the older three-division model. But worry not! A comprehensive article is available on the OHSAA’s website, full of information not just about track and field, but also other spring sports divisions.

Get Ready for Exciting Competition!

As we look ahead to the 2026 season, one thing is certain: Ohio high school athletes are in for an exciting few years ahead as they adapt to this new, invigorated competitive atmosphere! So to all the student-athletes and supportive families out there – get ready to lace up those running shoes and hit the track!

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