At this point, if we have learned anything it's to be able to roll with the changes -- and things will change. COVID-19 has changed the world and it continues to change the UIL cross country guidelines and calendar.
Today, the UIL issued another update for the upcoming cross country season. In case you haven't kept up with the changes, we have what you need to know and where you can find the info.
Meet Structure
As addressed in the last update, the UIL has restricted meets to a maximum of eight schools and only one competition level (9th grade, JV, Varsity) at a meet site/facility at a given time. Clarity was given to how to proceed with a meet; a team can take both girls and boys teams if on the same level.
Teams can take a maximum 10 athletes per race, per gender. Individual runners from two schools can be accepted into a meet if the schools have three runners or less.
| Classes | Competition Start Date | Regionals | State meet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1A - 4A | August 17, 2020 | November 9 - 10 | November 23 - 24 |
| 5A - 6A | September 7, 2020 | November 9 - 10 | November 23 - 24 |
Post Season
The district meet certification deadline is October 31, 2020. Districts can only have one level of competitors on the site at a time. The usual district entry format will be in place of seven runners and three alternates listed.
If a district has more than eight schools, they may have all of the teams compete at the same time. After one level has ended, they must completely exit the site before the next level can arrive for competition. Two teams will qualify from each district to the regional championships along with the top ten individuals.
The Regional date has been moved to a two day format on Monday November 9th and Tuesday November 10th. Three classes will run on Monday and three classes on the Tuesday.
Regional Sites
| Region | Classes | Site/Host |
|---|---|---|
| Region 1 | 1A - 6A | Mae Simmons Park/Texas Tech University |
| Region 2 | 1A | Angelo State Intramural Fields/Angelo State University |
| Region 2 | 2A - 6A | Jesse Owens Memorial Complex/University of Texas at Arlington |
| Region 3 | 1A | Jesse Owens Memorial Complex/University of Texas at Arlington |
| Region 3 | 2A - 6A | Kate Barr Ross Memorial Park/Sam Houston State University |
| Region 4 | 1A - 6A | Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi |
There are changes to the state meet qualifying standards from the regional championships. Only the top three teams will advance along with the top ten individuals not on the qualifying teams.
The state meet date was set for December 5, 2020, but it has now been moved up to November 23 - 24, 2020 at Old Settler's Park in Round Rock, Texas.
Classes 1A, 3A, and 5A (start times TBD) will compete on Monday and classes 2A, 4A, and 6A will compete on Tuesday (start times TBD).