DIII track & field championship adjustments

Charlotte, NC - On April 16, the NJCAA announced the cancellation of the 2021 NJCAA Division III Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships, scheduled for May 7-8 at Thomas Edison Park in Edison, NJ due to low participation numbers and team travel concerns.  NJCAA DIII men's and women's track and field teams who still wish to compete in a national championship this year are invited to compete at the NJCAA Division I Men's and Women's Track and Field Championships, scheduled for May 11-13 at South Plains College in Levelland, TX.

The below adjustments have been made to the 2021 NJCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships to incorporate DIII student-athletes.

• For 2021 spring (outdoor) championships, all members of team travel parties will be required to complete COVID-19 testing within 96 hours prior to the designated first practice day at the NJCAA championship.  Documentation showing proof of testing must be turned into the Host or NJCAA representative before the team receives their tournament credentials.
  • Acceptable documentation includes:
    • Note: Member colleges may determine which test is used.
    • Proof of a negative COVID-19 test
    • Proof of vaccine completion
    • Proof COVID-19 in the last 90 days but no current symptoms
• The NJCAA will not enforce qualifying standards or white cards for DIII teams participating in the DI championships. The meet will limit DIII teams to two student-athlete entries per event. However, if a student-athlete is ranked in the top-10 in their respective event on DirectAthletics as of two Mondays prior to the start of the 2021 NJCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships, an additional DIII student-athlete may be entered up to a maximum of three entries per event.
• DIII student-athletes will be eligible ONLY for DI preliminary rounds on the track (exception below).
  • DIII student-athletes cannot take a spot in finals from a DI student-athlete on the track.
• DIII entries will be seeded and heated with the DI entries. No separate heats or flights of DIII only athletes except in the 100m, 200m, 100H, 110HH when
  • there are more than 8 DIII entries, DIII athletes will be seeded into the preliminary round alongside DI athletes then an 8-person final will be run immediately following the scheduled D I final.
  • there are 6 or more entries but less than 9 a timed final only will be run immediately following the scheduled DI final.
  • there are less than 6 entries they will run in the DI prelims and times will be compared as finals for scoring.
• Adjustments to DIII heats of all track events may be made by the Games Committee after participation numbers are more clear.
• DIII will have a separate (unique) entry site via DirectAthletics from DI.
• Team awards will be presented for both Divisions at the conclusion of the meet.
  • DIII team awards will be based upon the number of teams entered.
  • A minimum of two teams is required to claim the NJCAA DIII Outdoor Track & Field Championship team award.
• Individual awards will be determined after the competition, based on participation, and sent directly to the institution.
• DIII athletes will not be eligible for DI individual awards or team points.
  • DIII athletes will not take a spot on the DI awards podium.
  • DIII athletes may use the podium following the DI individual awards.
• DIII athletes among the top 9 in a field event MAY advance to finals, however the 9 best D1 athletes will advance regardless.
• The Games Committee will help to determine heating and seeding so that only DI athletes are in the fastest section of final events on the track.
  • For example, the fast section of the 1500m will contain only DI athletes. All DIII athletes will be placed in the appropriate slower seeded sections.
• Starting heights will be examined and adjusted if necessary by the Games Committee in the High Jump and Pole Vault events.
• Multi-events
  • For events contested in lanes, athletes will be seeded based on performance, regardless of division to provide the best competitive advantage for everyone involved.

For full championship information, visit: NJCAA DIII Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships

For all NJCAA COVID-19 updates, visit: NJCAA COVID-19 Homepage