The calendar says it's December, but the weather in much of Kansas feels a bit like springtime.
Maybe that's reason enough to be thinking of track and field season. Or maybe all the track and field diehards begin thinking about indoor season this time of year, anyway.
Whatever the case, indoor track and field season is on the horizon, with at least one meet planned in the state of Kansas in December, and numerous meets in January and February.
Johnson County Community College hosts its annual track festival on December 9, marking the unofficial start of the indoor season for high school athletes.
The B&B Race KC Holiday Youth and High School Indoor Track Classic includes vertical and horizontal jumps, indoor shot put and running events from 60 meters up to the mile. You can find more information at this link.
Remember that Kansas State High School Association rules do not allow athletes to represent their schools in these meets. You must enter as an individual (or with your local track club) and provide your own transportation.
The indoor schedule for high schoolers really gets rolling after the first of the year when you can find good options within a reasonable driving distance. Here are the meets that I know of right now; if you know of others within the region, please send me information at melgares@LetsGoRun.com.
Jan. 6: Johnson County Community College Winter Classic
Jan. 13: University of Arkansas High School Invitational
Feb. 3: Herm Wilson High School Invitational (Wichita State University)
Feb. 4: Big River Running Co. High School Indoor Series (University of Missouri)
Feb. 4: Missouri Southern State University High School Open
Feb. 11: Lance Lenard/Missouri Valley Scholarship Meet (Manhattan, Kansas State University)
Feb. 17: Big River Running Co. High School Indoor Series (University of Missouri)
More...
For those who want a higher level of competition and/or are willing to travel, here are some of the meets across the country that are popular:
Jan. 3: Millrose Games Trials, high school (New York City)
Jan. 5-6: Texas A&M High School Indoor Classic (College Station, TX)
Jan. 12-13: Knoxville Youth Athletics High School Indoor Classic (Knoxville, TN)
Feb. 2-3: Air Force High School Indoor Open (Colorado Springs)
Feb. 10: Great Southwest Indoor Track and Field Classic (Albuquerque, NM)
Feb. 15-17: Simplot Games (Pocatello, ID)
Mar 9-11: New Balance Nationals Indoor (New York City)