8 replies to this topic

[Jefferson Faithful]

I've seen some really talented kids run in junior high and then i compared times to highschool times. Well, lets just say they were really close. If a kid is beating everyone easily should they just move up and be able to run against highschoolers?

[AKAI]

I can't swear to the accuracy of this but I think that a Junior High runner could participate at a higher level. However I believe that they lose that year of eligibility at the high school level.

[WONBulldog]

I can't swear to the accuracy of this but I think that a Junior High runner could participate at a higher level. However I believe that they lose that year of eligibility at the high school level.

I am pretty sure you are right because OHSAA says you can participate in HS athletics for 8 straight semesters. You can petition for more in special circumstances, but I don't think one of those is "was really good athlete in Jr. High."

[FutureModerator]

I believe all jh atheletes should be allowed to participate if they are good enough to compete against HS kids

[silverwings]

First of all the OHSAA is adamant AGAINST 7th and 8th graders competing in high school competition.

Go to the OHSAA website and look at the regulations for any sport and you will find numerous examples PROHIBITING 8th graders from even practicing (football and basketball, for example) with high school players, let alone competing.

Next, for the few athletes who are able to compete, there are hundreds more who can't and shouldn't - how do determine "who" gets to move up?

I really doubt that there are that many TRUE (not 16 or 17-year old 8th graders!) jr hi-aged kids who can compete anyway. And by compete I mean to place in the top 3 at 8 team invitational. Sure, some of the "high school track teams" at some schools are terribly weak (well, they are just "terrible" - PERIOD). So you might think some jr hi kid who runs a 54.5 second 400 will be something, but at a good sized meet that probably won't place in the top 8.

Finally - why? Tear 'em up in jr hi, and then go tear 'em up as a freshman - you can't "leave early" and get a $1,000,000 contract with the National Track Association anyway!

[sportslover]

I think they should be able to and heres why,
If kids are good enough to play in the high school level what is helping them playing with people in witch they can yawn and still beat them. They will not gain anytihng the only thing that can happen is if they get hurt or get bad habbits. A great example of this is OJ Mayo. I whatched the Micdonald all American Game and the anounce said the OJ averages 21 points as a SEVENTH GRADER in hight school that is crazy if u ask me so if he would have played jr. high he would have averaged proply arounnd 50 points and that wouldnt have helped him at all and that is why i think they should alow jr. high kids play in the high school level.

[madman]

First of all the OHSAA is adamant AGAINST 7th and 8th graders competing in high school competition.

Go to the OHSAA website and look at the regulations for any sport and you will find numerous examples PROHIBITING 8th graders from even practicing (football and basketball, for example) with high school players, let alone competing.

Next, for the few athletes who are able to compete, there are hundreds more who can't and shouldn't - how do determine "who" gets to move up?

I really doubt that there are that many TRUE (not 16 or 17-year old 8th graders!) jr hi-aged kids who can compete anyway. And by compete I mean to place in the top 3 at 8 team invitational. Sure, some of the "high school track teams" at some schools are terribly weak (well, they are just "terrible" - PERIOD). So you might think some jr hi kid who runs a 54.5 second 400 will be something, but at a good sized meet that probably won't place in the top 8.

Finally - why? Tear 'em up in jr hi, and then go tear 'em up as a freshman - you can't "leave early" and get a $1,000,000 contract with the National Track Association anyway!

If you want to see some good times for Middle School athletes go to www.ohiotrack.org This is the website for the Ohio Middle State Championships.

[Billybob_the_Pirate]

i say they should be able to compete against the HS kids and not lose a year of eligibility. My opinion though.

[gonemad]

In todays world, where children are growing up faster than ever, why push them to do so even faster? Let the kids be kids and enjoy their youth. There is absolutely no reason to move a 13 year old up against high schoolers other than to make the coach look better. If you want to rob a kid of a year of eligability at 13/14 when they aren't fully developed and not see what they can do at 17/18 when they've matured to where colleges can get an idea of what they can do, then go for it, but it only hurts in evaluating the true potential of the child IMO.