California introduces pilot program for wheelchair and ambulatory students

At this year's California State Track and Field meet, wheelchair and ambulatory students will be allowed to participate and score points for their teams for the first time. The pilot program was shared with schools in February through an informational letter and sections are allowed to get the program off the ground in any way they see fit. Students can qualify to the state meet by surpassing marks that are established which include 40 seconds for boys and 45 seconds for girls in 100 meters, 1:20 for boys and 1:30 for girls in 200 meters and 2:00 for boys and 2:30 for girls in 400 meters. In the shot put, the mark to surpass is 18'3" for boys' (8lbs) and 14'4" for girls (6lbs).

There are currently eight states that have similar programs. Student athletes can be entered on the CIF website at this LINK

More information about the program can be found in the San Diego Tribune newspaper article found at this LINK.