Division 01 · Junior Olympics
The future of the sport.
Junior Olympic track and field and cross country for athletes 8 and under through 17–18. Your age group is your age on December 31.
01The path
Oregon to
Nationals
Three championship rounds. Hit the qualifying mark at each one to move up.
Oregon JO Championship
The Association meet. Washington athletes can enter after an Association transfer request.
Region 13
Qualifiers move on to the Region 13 Championships. Exceptions can be requested ahead of time at youth@oregon.usatf.org.
National Junior Olympics
Qualify at Region 13 to race the National Junior Olympic Championships.
022026 season
Age
groups
Your age group is your age on December 31 of the competition year. Verify your athlete’s age in USATF Connect before entering.
| Age group | Born | Age on December 31, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 8U8 and under | 2018 to 2020 | 6 to 8 (8 and under) |
| 9–10Ages 9–10 | 2016 to 2017 | 9 to 10 |
| 11–12Ages 11–12 | 2014 to 2015 | 11 to 12 |
| 13–14Ages 13–14 | 2012 to 2013 | 13 to 14 |
| 15–16Ages 15–16 | 2010 to 2011 | 15 to 16 |
| 17–18Ages 17–18 | 2008 to 2009 | 17 to 18 |
03Next up
14Nov 2026JO Cross Country Championships
Saturday, November 14 at the Ash Creek Preserve, Western Oregon University, Monmouth. Entries opened October 2 at 9:00 a.m. on Athletic.net.
0Days00Hours00Min00Sec04Seasons
Track and
cross country
Two Junior Olympic seasons a year: track and field in spring and summer, cross country in the fall.
Track & field
- Middle School Championships, May 15, Corvallis
- Oregon Junior Olympic Championships, June 25–28, Gresham
- Region 13 Championships, July 8–12, Kirkland, WA
Cross country
- JO Cross Country Championships, Saturday November 14
- Ash Creek Preserve, Western Oregon University, Monmouth
- Entries on Athletic.net
05Meet day
Ready on
race day
What to sort out before a developmental meet and before a Junior Olympic meet.
First meets
- 01Check the meet information for events offered and check-in times.
- 02Bring water, layers for waiting between events, and the right shoes.
- 03Arrive early so your athlete can find their event and warm up.
Championships
- 01A current USATF membership and a verified birth date in Connect.
- 02Know your 2026 age group, set by age on December 31.
- 03Enter before the deadline and check the qualifying marks to advance.
06Monthly youth meetings
First Sunday7:00 PMon Zoom
Virtual youth meetings, every month. The Zoom link is sent in advance to club contacts in USATF Connect. Schedule subject to change.
07Safe sport
Safe, fair,
sanctioned
The rules that protect young athletes, and the sanction that makes a youth meet official.
Conduct
What USATF expects from coaches and from athletes.
Coaches code (PDF) Athletes code (PDF)SafeSport
Prevents sexual misconduct and abuse, bullying, hazing, harassment, and physical or emotional abuse.
Directory of compliant membersSanction
Better public perception, use of the event designation logo, and cost-effective insurance. Sanctions Chair: Debi Hanson.
Sanction a youth eventYour age group is based on your age on December 31 of the competition year.
- 8 and under: born 2018 to 2020
- 9–10: born 2016 to 2017
- 11–12: born 2014 to 2015
- 13–14: born 2012 to 2013
- 15–16: born 2010 to 2011
- 17–18: born 2008 to 2009
Upload a birth certificate, passport, certified baptismal certificate or state-issued ID in your Connect account. Documents mailed or emailed to the national office are returned unprocessed.
Hit the qualifying mark at the Oregon Junior Olympic Championships to advance to Region 13, then qualify there for the National Junior Olympic Championships. Exceptions can be requested ahead of time at youth@oregon.usatf.org.
No. Athletes compete only in their own age division, including relays and team events.
USATF sets a window for Association and Regional Junior Olympic meets. We pick dates inside it that avoid the state high school championships and major meets at Hayward Field whenever we can.
Yes. Regular meets are open to everyone. For an Oregon championship meet, submit an Association transfer request in your Connect account.
Youth membership
Get on the
start list.
Every Junior Olympic athlete needs a current USATF youth membership and a verified birth date. Join online in a few minutes.
