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University of Texas at Austin
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Track & Field

Assistant Athletic Director:
Joseph Garmon

Email:
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Department Phone:
512-471-5883

Department Fax:
512-471-6589

State Champions

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Wheelchair Division

Wheelchair division events for students in wheelchairs, boys and girls, to be held at the State Track & Field Meet:

  • 100M Dash
  • 400M Dash
  • Shot Put
General Guidelines
  • The Wheelchair Division will include participants from any conference 1A-6A.  
  • The wheelchair racing and seated shot put events will be incorporated into the state meet schedule by UIL staff.
  • The athletes in the Wheelchair Division will compete in separate races and field events from the traditional athletes. 
  • The top nine (9) performances that meet the UIL designated qualifying standards will advance to the State Championships.
  • The events will be non-scoring events, meaning these events will not count towards any team championships.
  • The top three athletes in each event will receive medals.  Athletes will be able to set state records at the state meet only.  We recommend the same procedure for medals be used for all school invitational meets, including District, Area, and Regional meets.

Eligibility For Participation In The Wheelchair Division
  • Only high school students eligible under the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules Subchapter M are eligible to compete.
  • All applicable UIL rules and regulations will apply.
  • Any high school student may be eligible to participate in the Wheelchair Division track and field events with a documented permanent, physical disability. Each athlete’s physical disability must be verified by a licensed physician and maintained on permanent file at the school.
  • Schools and athletes are responsible for all aspects of participation in the events.

Wheelchair Division Qualification Standards

Participants must meet the following standard for each event in order to submit an entry to the state meet.

Event Boys Girls
100M :40 :45
400M 2:40 3:00
Shot Put 7'0" - 4K 7'0" - 6lbs

Entry Requirements
  • Participants must submit a qualifying mark or performance to be considered for participation at the state event.  Performances will only be accepted through the UIL website at www.uiltexas.org no later than 12:00pm on April 21, 2024.
  • If more than nine participants submit eligible entries in any event, the UIL staff will choose the top nine performances submitted for the state meet.
  • A qualifying performance may be obtained from any local competition during the regular season, district, area, regional or Paralympic events from spring 2024. Entries must be verified by official meet results.

Entry Procedures
  • School personnel will be required to submit verified qualifying performances.
  • School personnel will be required to submit an official meet results document to verify the performance.
  • A designated entry process will be provided on the UIL website www.uiltexas.org and due no later than April 21, 2024 @ 12:00pm. 
  • All state qualifiers will be posted on the UIL website at the time they become available.

100m, 400m Wheelchair Equipment and Racing Standards

Athletes will be expected to compete in their school’s team uniform. Reasonable accommodations will be made when necessary. Resources for track and field equipment information and adaptive coaching education can be obtained from the following link: https://texasregionalsport.org/uil-sports/

  • Manual wheelchairs only for track events, which may be a specialized racing chair or an all sport chair.
  • Texas Regional Para Sport has a very active racing chair and coaching education program in place to assist athletes across the state.  See contact information below for the representative in your area.
  • The racing chair shall have two large wheels (not to exceed 70cm in diameter) and one small wheel (not to exceed 50cm in diameter).  Specialized track chair specifications can be found at the WASUSA.org rules link above.
  • The wheelchair must be manually propelled by pushing on the wheels or the hand rims (no gears, levers or electronic steering).
  • All participants must wear a racing helmet for both practice and competitions that is a hard protective shell and should meet the safety standards of the American National Safety Institute (ANSI).
  • Shoes are not required, however protective socks are recommended.
  • All participants must start each event with racing gloves.
  • Athletes’ lower limb(s) must be secured to the track chair.  Any touch to the ground by a lower limb results in disqualification from the event.
  • Competitors are responsible for the proper functioning of the track chair and equipment. Athletes that experience an equipment failure may finish the event; however, no event will be delayed or rescheduled if such an incident occurs.

Shot Put Equipment And Seated Throwing Standards

Athletes will be expected to compete in their school’s team uniform. Reasonable accommodations will be made when necessary. Resources for track and field equipment information and adaptive coaching education can be obtained from the following link: https://texasregionalsport.org/uil-sports/

  • Implements shall meet NFHS regulations. The 4K shot put will be used for boys and 6lbs. shot put for girls.
  • All participants must put the shot from a “chair” (manual wheelchair, throwing chair, standard chair). Scooters and “standing chairs” will not be allowed.  Chairs may be designed based on the needs of the athlete. 
  • It is recommended that a school district purchase or build a field chair.  The chair is versatile to different size athletes and can be used at different campuses as needed for many years.  Specifications and vendors can be requested through Texas Regional Para Sport, see regional contacts listed below.
  • The upper most part of the cushion/seat on any chair may not exceed 75cm (29.5 inches), measured from the ground. The seat of the chair has to be square or rectangular and flat or sloped backwards.
  • The chair may not have any moving parts or articulated joints.
  • If the frame has a holding bar, it must be rigid without joints.
  • No part of the throwing frame or wheelchair may be outside of the circumference of the circle.
  • The chair will be considered an extension of the athlete’s body.  For example: Any part of the chair touching the top of the stop board is a foul.
  • A coach (only) may assist the athlete in getting to the competition area.
  • A coach (only) may assist the athlete in entering and exiting the circle.
  • Tie-down straps for the chair are necessary and should be provided by the athlete, however a coach (only) may hold the chair during the throwing attempt to prevent excessive movement if throwing pit does not have tie down capabilities.
  • The athlete’s body must remain in contact with the seat during the throw.

Resources For Coaching Education, Events, Information And Equipment:

https://texasregionalsport.org/uil-sports/

  • CENTRAL, SOUTH AND WEST TEXAS REGION 
    Wendy Gumbert 512-914-3152 (cell) 
    wgumbert@hotmail.com 
  • DALLAS/FORT WORTH METROPLEX & EAST TEXAS REGION 
    Paul Johnson 817-602-0243 (cell) 
    pjohnson@swaasports.org 
  • HOUSTON & GULF COAST REGION 
    Nolan Griffin 903-754-4913 (cell) 
    nolan.griffin@houstontx.gov 
  • NORTH TEXAS & PANHANDLE REGION 
    Joe Chris Rodriguiz 806- 683-6978(cell) 
    joe@onechairatatime.com

Frequently Asked Questions 

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Who is eligible to compete in the Wheelchair Division?
All athletes with a permanent physical disability on file with the school and in grades 9-12 who meet the eligibility standards in the C&CR Subchapter M may be eligible. The mobility of a student participant may or may not include or require the full use of a wheelchair.
Where can athletes with physical disabilities compete?
Wheelchair events may be held at any UIL or school sanctioned meet. Additional competition opportunities are available through community Paralympic competitions. Resources for track and field meet event information can be obtained from the link: https://texasregionalsport.org/uil-sports/
How does an athlete with a physical disability participate for their high school track and field team?
The athlete must follow the same procedures at their school established for traditional athletes competing in track and field.
Can wheelchair contestants compete against traditional athletes in the same race?
Yes, in the 100M and the 400m it is recommended that if this occurs the wheelchair athlete is designated to compete in the inside lane. Wheelchair athletes are to finish any race by following the curve of the track and need more than 20m to stop forward motion. Boys and Girls heats may be combined for competition and separated at the conclusion to determine results and places for each gender and/or division.
Can wheelchair contestants compete against traditional athletes in shot put?
Yes, the wheelchair athlete may be flighted with the traditional athletes for the seated shot put throw. Physically challenged participants may choose to take all throws after entering the ring.  The athlete’s choice of type of “throwing chair” may determine if this is possible or if the athlete needs to be flighted before or after the traditional athlete.
How does a coach enter an athlete in the state meet?
The athlete must be entered into the state meet through an online entry form available on the track page on the UIL website. Performance results will be required in order to complete the online entry process.
Can athletes racing on the track receive assistance from coaches or other personnel?
No, athletes may only propel themselves forward through their own pushing of the wheels or hand rims.
Can athletes throwing the shot put receive assistance from the coaches or other personnel?
A coach (only) may assist the athlete in getting to the competitive area and may also assist the athlete in entering and leaving the circle. Also, for throwing events, the school shall provide tie-down straps. When no straps are available, a coach may hold the chair during the throwing attempt to prevent excessive movement.
Are the uniform rules in place for an athlete in a wheelchair?
Yes, all uniforms rules and regulations are in effect just as with the traditional athletes. Some exceptions may need to be considered and presented to meet officials for clarification.
Who is responsible for the athlete’s equipment?
The athlete is responsible for needed equipment. Schools may provide equipment and assistance may be available through Texas Regional Para Sports upon request. Resources for track and field equipment information can be obtained from the following link: https://texasregionalsport.org/uil-sports/
Where can coaches get more information about training?
Information regarding training and professional development can be utilized through the regional contacts with Texas Regional Para Sport (listed above)

wheelchair division entry form

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