Outdoor T&F Update: Tournament, Calendar, Call For Officials

In advance of the 2026 OHSAA Outdoor Track and Field season, review below and on the following pages updates pertaining to the state tournament structure and its schedule of events.

Additionally, with the enhancement to five divisions in Ohio for 2026, we're continuing the pursuit to recruit more OHSAA officials.

On page 2, information is supplied regarding division assignments, representation, regional sites, regulations and the 7th and 8th Grade State Track and Field Championship plus the full 2026 OHSAA Tournament Calendar. 

As is noted in the address, not all information, such as time schedules, is finalized at this time, however this resource will provide a great lead-in for preliminary details in what will mark a major transition of change with OHSAA Outdoor Track and Field. 

The information on page 3 reinforces the need for additional OHSAA officials to accommodate the new five division format, as we repurpose an interview conducted earlier this year with long-time state association official Jeff Polhemus. 

Below are additional resources and a call to action for new officials by BJ Duckworth, OHSAA Sport Administrator and Director of Officiating Development.

"The need for officials is always growing. It is not only because of retirements and officials leaving the vocation due to other factors but also because our sport is growing and we see more and larger regular season meets every year."

"The coaches association has done a tremendous job through the years growing the sport, the NFHS reported that track and field participation grew 20% in Ohio this past school year and Ohio currently sits third in the nation for total track and field participation behind Texas and California."

(2025 OHSAA Pre-Season Cross Country Invitational)

Photo Credit: Shawn Conlon/MileSplit

"With a growing sport, we need to keep pace on the officiating side to ensure athletes can continue to have safe and fair competition."

"We also are seeing growth in our post season. Track will expand to five divisions in 2026 and because of that we will have four additional regional sites that all will need full officiating crews. The state championship will also expand from two to four days, growing the need."

-- BJ Duckworth, OHSAA Sport Administrator and Director of Officiating Development