Riley Karnes runs during a relay race for Marysville in this file photo from 2019. Track and field athletes won’t be identified for big meets by their jersey numbers this season under a new OHSAA rule. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Although high school track and field athletes in Ohio may continue to wear a number on their jerseys this spring, it won’t go into entering runners, jumpers and throwers into official meet lineups.
“It’s a new rule from the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2021 season,” said Marysville High School head coach Luke Sundermeier.
“In the past, the number on the back of an athlete’s jersey was for the purpose of identifying them in big races,” he said. “Now, the OHSAA has only mandated bib numbers on their hips.”
There may be a number of schools, such as MHS, that will continue to have numbers on jerseys this year.
“That’s because we’re wearing the same uniforms we have used the past few years,” said Sundermeier.
“The numbers on the back, however, won’t mean anything as far as rosters submitted to meet officials.
“The only thing that will count is each athlete’s bib number.”
The Marysville High School track and field program will be receiving new uniforms within a couple of years, according to Sundermeier.
Those uniforms will not include numbers on the back of jerseys.
“That’s actually going to make it cheaper to purchase,” said the Monarch coach. “Numbers on the back of each jersey cost us more, so we’re going to save that money with the new uniforms.
“All meets have auto timing anyway, so you don’t need to look at jersey numbers, just the bib numbers as athletes cross the finish line.”
Sundermeier said he likes the new rule.
“It’s a good decision,” he said. “There are times at regional tournaments when athletes will forget their jerseys.
“If that happens, they can wear another shirt and use the bib number they are assigned for that meet,” said Sundermeier.
“It will also be that way for the state meet as well.”