We took this photo of Maddie and McKenna at their last practice before New Balance Indoor Nationals last month. Our travel plans to New York City were cancelled a few hours later, and we are all relieved we stayed home. 

The event planners have regrouped, and New Balance Outdoor Nationals is tentatively planned forJuly 16-19 in Greensboro, NC.

The meet taking place will depend on state and national guidelines, and life being safe once more. The good news is that there are new qualifying standards, for some categories, which means more of our athletes have already met the required mark, or are very close. The new qualifying marks are below: 

GIRLSIndoor 2020Outdoor 2019/20
Junior High- 7th & 8th Grade7′7’6″
Freshmen9′9′
High School Emerging Elite12′12′
High School Championship12’612’6 1/4′
BOYSIndoor 2020Outdoor 2019/20
Junior High – 7th & 8th Grade7’9″8′
Freshmen11′11′
High School Emerging Elite15′15′
High School Championship15’6 1/4″15’8″

So if a Freshman Girl jumped 9′ in a meet that took place in the 2020 Indoor Season, or in the 2020 Outdoor Season before it was cancelled, or, she jumps that height in a meet that takes place once we are back up and running, then she has jumped the qualifying mark and is eligible for acceptance at New Balance Outdoor Nationals. 

If your personal best is not close to a qualifying mark, or if New Balance Outdoors does not take place, no worries. We are still planning to hold meets at Pole Vault Carolina, provided it is safe to do so. Masks may be necessary and small flights the new norm, but we plan to train and support you to attain your next personal best.