Wheelchair events added to state track

Staff report

COLUMBUS

At next spring’s state track and field meet, the best wheelchair athletes in Ohio will get a shot.

Literally.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association board of directors on Thursday approved a recommendation to add eight wheelchair championship final events — four for boys and four for girls — beginning in 2013.

Wheelchair athletes in one boys division and one girls division will compete in the shot put, as well as the 100 meters, 400 meters and 800 meters, with participants wearing school uniforms and being awarded for individual honors, although they will not score points for their teams.

Track and field is the first sport in which the OHSAA will include wheelchair athletes as part of a state tournament and makes Ohio one of approximately a dozen states to do so.

“Ohio has always been at the forefront of providing opportunities for [high school] athletes and especially in track and field,” said McDonald track coach Lou Domitrovich, who won a state title in 2011. “Our sport has always promoted the ideals of self-discipline, motivation, and hard work and in turn these athletes exude an improved self image through these physical benefits attained.

“I’m sure that Para-athletes look at participation in sports as more than just therapy. It’s a way to positively promote their self image.

“As far as I’m concerned, an athlete is an athlete and this will provide another opportunity for individuals to showcase their talents. I look forward to the 2013 state track and field tournament as always and even more so to see even more athletes perform at a high level of competition.”

During the regular season, the OATCC will collect qualifying wheelchair times in the 100, 400 and 800 and distances in the shot put, with the top eight male and top eight female times or distances in each event qualifying for championship final events at the state tournament without regard to the OHSAA divisional assignment of the participants’ schools.

To qualify for the wheelchair events, athletes must have a permanent, physical disability and must be verified by a licensed physician. Participants must meet OHSAA and school eligibility requirements.

“It seems like a good way for the OHSAA to be as inclusive as possible and to reach out to a group of high school students who have been precluded from enjoying the benefits of competitive sports due to them suffering from physical infirmities,” Canfield athletic director Greg Cooper said. “Working out the details so the meets run smoothly will take some effort but it will be worth the effort.”

While participating, coaches may not assist athletes in the 100, 400 or 800 and no motorized chairs are permitted. Athletes in the shot put may be assisted by coaches in getting to the competition area and entering and leaving the circle. The coach also may hold down the chair during the throwing attempt.

“The impact on the young athletes with physical disabilities participating in this championship will be incredible,” said Charlie Huebner, United States Olympic Committee Chief of Paralympics.

Diane Krumpak, a track coach at South Range High who serves on the OATCC district board, said the board was “thrilled” by the OHSAA decision was so surprised it was added so quickly.

“The OHSAA kind of took [the proposal] and ran with it,” she said, adding that former Chagrin Falls coach Dave Kirk, who lives in Garrettsville, spearheaded the proposal. “It’s just a neat opportunity for those kids to participate in sports and it’s another thing to add to the great event that it [the state meet] already is.”

Tentatively, the wheelchair 100 will take place during the Division III tournament in the morning, with the 400 race during the Division II tournament and the 100 and shot put during Division I competition.