The Yale Track Classic is an annual indoor track and field meet hosted by Yale University at the Coxe Cage in New Haven, Connecticut. The meet typically takes place in January and attracts top high school and college athletes from the Northeast region. The Yale Track Classic is known for its competitive atmosphere and fast times, making it a premier event for athletes looking to qualify for national championships or break personal records.
Meet History and Significance
The Yale Track Classic has a rich history, dating back to 2004 when it was first established as a small, local meet. Over the years, the event has grown in popularity and now attracts over 1,000 athletes from more than 100 schools. The meet is sanctioned by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and is a USATF (USA Track & Field) certified event. The Yale Track Classic is also a key qualifying meet for the New Balance Nationals Indoor, with many athletes using the event as a final tune-up before the national championships.
Meet Events and Schedule
The Yale Track Classic features a wide range of events, including sprints, hurdles, distance races, jumps, and throws. The meet schedule is typically divided into two sessions, with the first session featuring field events and the second session featuring track events. The meet kicks off with the weight throw and shot put, followed by the high jump, long jump, and pole vault. The track events begin with the 55-meter dash and 55-meter hurdles, followed by the 300-meter dash, 600-meter run, and 1000-meter run. The meet culminates with the 4x200-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay.
| Event | Time | Meet Record |
|---|---|---|
| 55-meter dash | 10:00 AM | 6.43 seconds (2018) |
| 300-meter dash | 11:30 AM | 34.64 seconds (2019) |
| 1000-meter run | 1:00 PM | 2:25.31 minutes (2020) |
| High jump | 9:00 AM | 6 feet 10 inches (2017) |
| Long jump | 10:30 AM | 23 feet 1 inch (2016) |
Meet Results and Notable Performances
The Yale Track Classic has a long history of producing fast times and exceptional performances. In 2020, the meet saw multiple meet records broken, including the 1000-meter run and the 4x200-meter relay. The meet has also hosted several Olympic athletes and national champions, including Ajee’ Wilson, who set the meet record in the 600-meter run in 2012. Other notable performers include Kyle Merber, who won the 1000-meter run in 2011, and Emily Sisson, who set the meet record in the 3000-meter run in 2013.
Team Scoring and Awards
The Yale Track Classic awards team scoring in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions, with the top three teams in each division receiving trophies. The meet also awards individual medals to the top three finishers in each event, as well as All-Meet honors to the top performers in each division. In 2020, the boys’ team title was won by St. Anthony’s High School, while the girls’ team title was won by Bay Shore High School.
- Boys' team scoring: St. Anthony's High School (120 points), Bay Shore High School (90 points), Half Hollow Hills East High School (80 points)
- Girls' team scoring: Bay Shore High School (130 points), St. Anthony's High School (100 points), Half Hollow Hills East High School (90 points)
What is the admission policy for the Yale Track Classic?
+Admission to the Yale Track Classic is free for spectators, although there may be a small fee for parking. Athletes and coaches must register in advance and pay an entry fee, which varies depending on the event and division.
What are the eligibility requirements for the Yale Track Classic?
+Athletes must be in grades 9-12 and be affiliated with a high school or club team to be eligible for the Yale Track Classic. College athletes are also eligible to compete, although they must meet specific eligibility requirements set by the NCAA.
