Eighth-grade students participating in middle school track meets must meet academic eligibility requirements. These requirements vary from district to district, but most districts require that student have a C average or better in their core classes to participate. Prior to each track meet, coaches will check eligibility of their team members and notify any students if they are not eligible to participate in an upcoming competition. Some districts require students take a progress report around to their teachers to initial confirming that they are eligible to participate. Each school handles gathering this information in a way that is convenient for them. Students who participate in track meets and are not academically eligible can cause their team to forfeit.
Eighth grade students are allowed to participate in up to four events in a middle school track meet. This includes individual field events and races as well as team relay events. Many schools require each runner to choose at least one field event along with the running events. Some conferences ask students to choose the same number of field events as running events. Students are not required to participate in all four events at each meet. If students find one or two events they like best, most track coaches will not require students to compete in all four areas.
Eighth-grade track and field participants must wear the approved team uniform. Many middle schools provide only the jersey and ask that students provide their own shorts. Shorts must be a uniform color decided on by the coach and must meet the same standards as the school dress code unless otherwise noted. No jewelry can be worn during a track meet. This is both for safety and to keep the team members looking the same.
Students participating in middle school track and field events must be present at practice. Students are encouraged not to leave practice early. If they need to leave practice early, a note from a parent is needed to release the student. Attendance at all meets is not mandatory, but attendance at practice prior to a competition is required for participation. Students who qualify for district, city and state track meets must be at all practices after the regular season to participate.