MCA Ch13 Flashcards
What are category placement guidelines designed to promote?
Fair, safe, and challenging competition
What primarily determines the placement of student-athletes in categories?
MCA race results and end-of-season rankings from the preceding year
Do students choose their category placement?
No, they are placed according to standards and criteria
What can students do if they seek an alternative placement?
Petition for an exception
List the categories for boys.
- 6th Grade, Division I
- 6th Grade, Division II
- 7th Grade, Division I
- 7th Grade, Division II
- 8th Grade, Division I
- 8th Grade, Division II
- Freshman, Division I
- Freshman, Division II
- JV2, Division I
- JV2, Division II
- JV3
- Varsity
List the categories for girls.
- 6th Grade
- 7th Grade
- 8th Grade
- Freshman
- JV2
- JV3
- Varsity
What factors may influence category placement?
Grade level and/or ability, prior performance
How is category placement determined for student-athletes with no MCA race history?
Based on their age-based category
What dictates placement from season to season?
Individual race results and end-of-season overall standings
How is the finishing percentile calculated?
Finishing place divided by total number of racers, multiplied by 100
What category are 10th, 11th, and 12th graders with no prior results placed into?
JV2
What is the criteria for Freshman category placement?
- 9th grade student-athletes
- 6th, 7th, or 8th grade student-athletes who petition
- Student-athletes who raced in Freshman category last year
What are the criteria for JV2 category placement?
10th, 11th, or 12th grade student-athletes
What are the criteria for JV3 category placement?
- Last season’s Freshman category student-athletes who placed in top 10% in two races or top 15% overall
- Last season’s JV2 student-athletes who placed in top 25% in two races or top 30% overall
- Petitions into the category
- Returning JV3 student-athletes who did not upgrade to Varsity
What are the criteria for Varsity category placement?
- Last season’s Freshman or JV2 category student-athletes who petition
- Last season’s JV3 category student-athletes who placed in top 25% in two races or top 30% overall
- Returning Varsity student-athletes
Are exceptions to category placement criteria common?
No, they are discouraged and granted only under extraordinary circumstances
What can middle school students petition for?
To race in the Freshman category
What is required for a petition to be granted?
- Non-MCA race results demonstrating ability
- MCA finish time indicating readiness for a higher category
What form must petitions for exceptions be submitted on?
Category Placement Petition for Exception Form
What is the deadline for petitions before the first race of the season?
Prior to August 15th
What happens to individual points if a student changes category mid-season?
Points do not transfer
