For the fourth straight year, the NJSIAA Meet of Champions on Wednesday at Pennsauken High conflicted with various national meets, forcing many athletes to choose between which meets to compete at.
But that won't be the case in 2025!
The NJSIAA has announced the dates for the 2025 State Sectionals, State Group Championships, and Meet of Champions, and the changes are significant.
Next year, the Sectional Championships will be held May 16-17, the week before Memorial Day Weekend. The Group Championships are scheduled for May 30-31, and the Meet of Champions are scheduled for Wednesday, June 4 at Pennsauken High School.
This change will eliminate the conflict the date for the Meet of Champions has caused for the past 3 years when it was held during the second week of June, the same week national meets such as the New Balance Nationals, the Brooks Invitational, and the Nike Nationals.
Prior to 2021, the Meet of Champions was traditionally held during the first week of June, usually on Wednesday. But that changed three years ago when a shortage of officials to work the Sectional Championships on Memorial Day Weekend caused the state to push the Sectionals, Groups, and Meet of Champions back a week.
Al Stumpf, the NJSIAA Track and Field Tournament Director, said he wants the best athletes at the Meet of Champions, and that this will help ensure that happens.
Stumpf also said that the new State Championship scheduling format is in place for 2025 and 2026 and he hopes it becomes permanent.
"There are a few reasons for the scheduling changes, but the most pressing reason is so the kids that aren't here for the Meet of Champions today will be able to compete at the Meet of Champions next year and beyond,'' said Stumpf. "They won't have to choose and miss the Meet of Champions. We want the best athletes at the Meet of Champions.''