Feature Interview: Become An OHSAA Track And Field Official

The latest episode of our MileSplit Ohio podcast series featured longtime OHSAA Track and Field official Jeff Polhemus. 

Polhemus, a veteran of 23-years officiating Track and Field plus time spent overseeing competition on the wrestling mats, helped us to showcase the integral role officials play in conducting meets. 

A former field athlete himself, Polhemus specializes in officiating events within the throws disciplines, but also embraces facilitating the sprints, distance contests and jumps when those duties call. 

The overarching theme of our interview was to bring light to the often overlooked and under appreciated work that officials provide. As was noted multiple times in our conversation, our great sport does not operate without them. Meets cannot take place without officials. 

With that in mind, another goal of our feature is to ideally entice new officials to get involved in OHSAA Track and Field competition. 

Like coaches and teams of athletes, there needs to be a progression plan for our officiating contingent. Currently, the number of veteran officials serving the OHSAA outweighs that who are newer to the sport. 

We hope that after viewing our interview and reviewing the accompanying links below, a portion of those folks who absorb this content will take the next step and get involved in this critical side of the sport. 

Remember, with five divisions coming to the OHSAA in the Spring of 2026, enhancement of our roster of state association serving officials is more important now than ever. 

During our dialogue, Polhemus highlighted some cutting-edge opportunities the OHSAA offers, including their mentorship program, their evaluation process, as well as the educational clinics they offer, both in-person and virtual-based. 

He stressed the importance of not only joining the OHSAA and becoming an official, but to also become involved with the Ohio Track and Field and Cross Country Officials Association (OTFCCOA) for collegial support and easy access to professional development materials. 

While acknowledging that great work is being done in current times throughout the state of Ohio, notably, Polhemus paid tribute to the late Dale Gabor, the late Fred Dafler, as well as Bob Mueleman for the exceptional contributions those men provided to the development of officiating and to the sport in general. 

Special thanks are extended to OHSAA Track and Field Sport Administrator and Director of Officiating Development BJ Duckworth for his assistance with all capacities of this interview and article. 

To learn more about officiating, visit the following links: 

• OTFCCOA Social Media
• Ohio Track and Field & Cross Country Social Media
• OHSAA Track & Field and Cross Country Officials' Manual

Additionally, if you have any questions about how to get started on becoming an OHSAA official, e-mail Jeff Polhemus and BJ Duckworth at the addresses noted below. 

• 0:00 -- Episode Introduction 
• 0:40 -- Jeff's official title and his inspiration to serve in the association
• 2:05 -- Dale Gabor, Fred Dafler, Bob Meuleman had immense impacts on officiating
• 5:00 -- Showcasing the mentorship, evaluation, clinic initiatives
• 7:35 --Outlining how officials receive their evaluation information
• 8:40 -- Discussing why he's kept at it so long and what is the best aspect about it
• 10:25 -- Delineating between the OHSAA and the OTFCCOA
• 12:10 -- Various events to start with and how a new official gets introduced to the sport
• 14:40 -- With the incoming increased divisions for track and field, more officials are needed 
• 17:05 -- How quickly an interested person can begin the process to officiating their first meet 
• 19:20 -- Upcoming officiating presentations taking place at local Ohio high schools 
• 20:45 -- Answering why a prospective official should consider joining the OHSAA and OTFCCOA
• 22:30 -- Episode Conclusion