Only U.S. citizens, aliens living in the United States, and foreign exchange students are eligible to compete in these Championships. See the USATF Rules for more information and exceptions, by visiting usatf.org/About/Competition-Rules.aspx. The competition will be conducted in six age divisions as follows:
8 & Under born 2009 and later*
13-14 born 2003 and 2004
9-10 born 2007 and 2008
15-16 born 2001 and 2002
11-12 born 2005 and 2006
17-18 born 1999 and 2000
Per USATF Competition Rule 300.1 (c), athletes must be at least seven (7) years of age on December 31 of the current year in order to compete in the Youth Athletics or Junior Olympic National Championships. **Athletes born in 1998 are also eligible if they do not turn 19 on or before 7/30/17. A competitor must compete in his/her age division only. There will be no "moving up" in any events, including relays. Competitors in the 8 & under, 9-10 and 11-12 divisions may compete in a maximum of three events, including relays. Competitors in the 13-14, 15-16, and 17-18 divisions may compete in a maximum of four events, including relays. Combined events are not included in the event count. All athletes must be 2017 members of USATF in good standing. USATF memberships may be purchased online by http://www.usatf.org/Products---Services/Individual-Memberships.aspx or through your local Association Office.
All clubs must be 2017 USATF member organizations.
All relay team members must be members of the same club, which must also be registered with the club's local USATF Association for 2017, and must wear jerseys and shorts of the same color
Qualifying from Association Championships to Regional Championships per USATF Rule 306.1(d): "An Association is allocated, by agreement with other Associations in its Region, a certain number of athletes and relay teams from the Association level to the Regional level through the Association Championships.
Qualifying from Regional Championships to National Championships Track and field shall advance five individuals and five relay teams from each Regional to National. These shall be the top five finishers in each event. The combined events shall advance the top two placed individuals and any others who meet a performance standard at the Regional Championship. The performance standard for all events is the average of the 8th place in the last three National Junior Olympic Championships. The host Association shall qualify a like number. All entry into the National Championships must be completed online entries cannot be accepted by any other method. No on-site entries or changes will be allowed.