PIAA Passes New Adaptive Athlete Policy

Alex Brown of North Catholic and Trent Clayton of West Chester East, are both adaptive student-athletes who played vital roles in the creation of the new policy. The PIAA voted to accept a variation of the boys' proposal in late-March of this year.

Brown, a junior wheelchair athlete, is taking full advantage of the new PIAA division by posting impressive personal bests in all three of his events. Brown has posted marks of 21.15 in the 100m, 40.82 in the 200m, and 14-4 in the shot put. Brown has qualified for the WPIAL (District 7) Championship in all three events.

"With the addition of the new PIAA adaptive track & field divisions, all athletes can meaningfully participate on their high school track team with the chance to score points and aspire to qualify for States," Brown shared.

"This opportunity in the last two years of my HS career renews my determination to work hard and set the first records for adaptive athletes to come. I look forward to seeing this division grow in the future."

Adaptive Athlete Policy and Procedure Breakdown 

The 2022-2023 PIAA Policies and Procedures Handbook lays out the current framework creating hope for all Para Ambulatory and Wheelchair Athletes to compete in PIAA sanctioned competition. In the handbook, the PIAA outlines its policy to expand opportunities for adaptive athletes by establishing a general approach, breaking down disability classifications, and scoring/qualifying standards.

The general approach section states Para Ambulatory and Wheelchair Athletes can compete if "conditions do not present an unusual and cognizable increased risk of danger" and the athletes "meet all other PIAA eligibility requirements."

Adaptive athletes can compete in up to four of these events per meet: 100 meter dash; 200 meter dash; 400 meter dash; 800 meter dash (for Wheelchair Athletes only); shot put; and discus throw. Whether adaptive athletes compete with athletes who don't have disabilities will be at the discretion of meet referees during the regular season.

Section B. in the handbook discusses the two disability classifications of athletes with competing eligibility.

Para Ambulatory Athletes, following the handbook, are "A student who has an orthopedic, neuromuscular, or other physical disability, and who does not compete seated."

This includes athletes ranging from amputees to athletes with diseases that affect muscular function, such as cerebral palsy. The handbook mentions various other disabilities that fall into the classification, mentioning that eligibility to compete isn't limited to just those listed.

Wheelchair Athletes, following the handbook, are "A student who has a permanent muscular or neuromuscular disability, which significantly limits the student's ability to move, or a permanent skeletal deformity or abnormality, which significantly affects ambulation, and who competes seated."

This includes athletes who may experience any condition that causes them to use a wheelchair and any amputee athlete who chooses to compete seated.

Regular Season Scoring and Standards

When scoring points during regular season competition, any adaptive athlete competing must hit specific marks based on the T53D, F53D, T37, and F37 classifications set by the Adaptive Track and Field USA (ATFUSA).

If there is only one adaptive athlete in an event and they hit the scoring standard, they are awarded one point for their team. If more than one adaptive athlete competes in an event, only athletes that hit the standard will be scored as follows: 1st place will earn five points, 2nd place will earn three points, and 3rd place will earn one point. 

Varsity Wheelchair Scoring and Qualification Standards

Junior High Wheelchair Scoring and Qualification Standards

Varsity Para Ambulatory Scoring and Qualification Standards

Junior High Para Ambulatory Scoring and Qualification Standards 

Post Season Qualifications

To qualify for the district meet, athletes must have hit the above standard in the event they desire to compete in at some point during the regular season. Athletes can compete in up to four events at the district meet.

To qualify for the state championship, athletes must hit the above standard in the event they desire to compete in during the district championship meet.

Medals will be presented to the top finishers for every event with two or more competitors at the state meet based on place, time, and distance. The medal standards are as follows:

Medal Standards for Male Wheelchair Athletes

Medal Standards for Female Wheelchair Athletes

Medal Standards for Male Para Ambulatory Athletes 

Medal Standards for Female Para Ambulatory Athletes

For a more in-depth look at the adaptive athlete rules and policy, check out the official 2022-2023 PIAA Policies and Procedures Handbook.