unattached HS athletes/ out of state meets?

Keep visiting directathletics.com... but it's too early to confirm which meets will still be held as, to your point, the COVID numbers continue to rise in many states. Even where I live we are Green right now, but another month could be a different story.

https://www.directathletics.com/

Just run some time trials with local runners and a pacer on a bike. It’s much easier

He would not be able to run in any official High School competitions. Unattached athletes are not allowed in nfhs competitions. He could compete in open competitions that are sometimes offered by colleges and universities.

Steph Jenks gave up her high school eligibility to run unattached in college races. It did not work out well for her.

She and her parents knew what the outcome was going to be and went forward anyway.

Do some road races.

But those aren’t happening right now either. Which makes you wonder... if it’s not safe for a road race how are XC races better?

Go to JC. Prove yourself there.

They knew that she would not have a college career? I doubt that. Guessing they thought it would be to her benefit. How ironic that she could have compted against the US 3k record holder in high school.

run run run wrote:

They knew that she would not have a college career? I doubt that. Guessing they thought it would be to her benefit. How ironic that she could have compted against the US 3k record holder in high school.

Explain then. How did giving up her HS career keep her from competing in college? Did she accept prize money or had sponsorship?

I don' think it prevented her from it. I think it contributed to her not competing in college. She ran NXN and Footlocker and NBN and world tri and college cross country all while in high school. Traveling across the country and world every weekend to compete at the highest levels takes its toll.

This is a unique problem for 2020. I would contact the bigger invites around the country that regularly attract multi-state participants. Out west that’s like the Jim Danner race in Portland or Stanford Invitational and ask the Meet directors. They must have cases like this regularly.

When my son competed we often made spring break plans around attending an out-of-state track meet where he competed as an individual.

rravel wrote:

This is a unique problem for 2020. I would contact the bigger invites around the country that regularly attract multi-state participants. Out west that’s like the Jim Danner race in Portland or Stanford Invitational and ask the Meet directors. They must have cases like this regularly.

When my son competed we often made spring break plans around attending an out-of-state track meet where he competed as an individual.

It is against the rules for unattached runners to compete in official High School meets.

Which meet?

run run run wrote:

I don' think it prevented her from it. I think it contributed to her not competing in college. She ran NXN and Footlocker and NBN and world tri and college cross country all while in high school. Traveling across the country and world every weekend to compete at the highest levels takes its toll.

I understand your point but my point is that her parents asked the state HS union and didn't like their answer so went ahead in what they thought was in her best interest which is fine since it was a family decision. Some parents see their kid is talented and want to help them excel beyond what they think is developmentally appropriate or what they can get from a HS program. In their zealousness, they may have curbed that desire/fire etc... Maybe some elite HS athletes just can't handle the rigor of college and Athletics because they know the time, physical, emotional etc...committments. Anyway, she was hard working and talented and I wondered what happened to her. I know about her HS experience, her HS coaches, their struggles etc....but I didn't understand why that kept her from competing in college unless she violated amature status. Just another example of a HS talent that got away. Houlihan, Schweitzer etc...managed but they weren't accelerated at the HS level, progressed at the college level and are now excelling at the pro level. Long term progression vs choosing to go for the glory when young. I see it all the time in gymnastics, swimming, soccer etc...usually parent driven.

I recall one year when she competed Friday, Saturday, Sunday at NBN and then somehow showed up at Iowa State on Monday to dominate 2 events. I knew that she was in trouble.

Rex, all rules by NFHS have been suspended in 2020 due to COVID so he/she can find a high school meet to compete unattached.

Rex Hudler wrote:

It is against the rules for unattached runners to compete in official High School meets.

I have been the State Rules Interpreter in California for the past 24 years. I just read the minutes of this year’s NFHS Rules Committee Meeting. I believe you are confused regarding your impression that rules have been suspended for next fall. In fact they have not, the only change is there will not be a new 2020-21 Rule Book. No rule changes were accepted this year and those applications will be acted upon next June. It is still not possible for an unattached athlete to participate in any activity sanctioned through the NFHS or member State Association. Only athletes eligible and representing a member school are allowed.

Please cite any credible information you might have that rules have been suspended.

California rules do not apply to other States. Each state has their own federation publishing rules. Check out milesplit.com for updates.

Right now I would focus on Footlocker and hope it happens.

I still would like you to furnish any information that substantiates your claim that a state(s) has suspended rules that require participants to be eligible members of member schools and unattached participants are OK. Your saying so doesn’t make it true.