Free the Steeple

Proposed:


California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Track and Field to allow high school athletes to participate in the 2000 meter and/or 3000 meter steeplechase event for both boys and girls.





Meet directors determine entry standards and whether the 2000 meter or 3000 meter distance shall be used.





This is NOT a proposed amendment to the State, Section, or League championship meets, and pertains only to invitational/open/relay competitions.








Reasons:


High school steeplechase allows young runners to be introduced to an event that is competed at the collegiate, national, and international level. Beijing 2008 will contest the womens steeplechase for the first time in the Olympic Games. USATF added the womens steeplechase as a championship event in 2003. NCAA added the event in 2001. The steeplechase is contested for both boys and girls at the USATF Junior Nationals, and Junior Olympics, for both of which our high school athletes are eligible. CIF, which was a leader in the movement to add womens pole vaulting, is behind in the trend to add high school steeplechase.





The steeplechase encourages participation in track and field. Distance runners participate in larger numbers in cross country than in track and field. Adding the steeplechase creates a new venue for encouraging cross country runners to participate in track who otherwise object to just running around in circles. The steeplechase is exciting for athletes and spectators because of its unique characteristics.








Refutations to the Opposition:


Too dangerous Like any technique event, such as the hurdles or pole vault, the steeplechase requires coaching and instruction. If the steeplechase is listed as an event offered at invitationals, coaches will prepare their athletes appropriately. In 2004, Prep Puddlejumpers steeplechase clinic offered athletes the opportunity to learn the event, before CIF banned competition for 2005.





Inequity in opportunity Training or preparing for the steeplechase does not require access to steeplechase barriers or water jumps. Three examples to illustrate this point:


1) The 2003 Olympic Development Steeplechase Summit, was held at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista while the track was under construction. During the three day venue, Americas top men and women steeplers conducted all of their drills and practices using standard hurdles and long jump sand pits.


2) Tom Kloos (author or petition) ranked in the top 10 Americans in 2003, using only high school track facilities and hurdles.


3) Kenya.








Please reconsider the ill-thought ban on high school steeplechase in California, and allow high school track athletes to enjoy and benefit a truly exceptional event.