There is a new method by which track and field athletes can qualify for state meets.

There also are questions about whether the procedure will create new problems for the sport.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association has adopted early qualifying standards that will enable boys and girls to qualify ahead of regional meets.

Previously, only performances at regionals were considered for entry into state finals.

Typically, athletes, including those on relay teams, qualified by finishing first or second in an event, or by meeting additional qualifying standards set by the MHSAA.

Now, qualifying can be achieved by meeting MHSAA-issued EQ standards at approved meets scheduled for no later than May 14.

“I’m excited for the changes,” said Megan Berry, the boys coach at Utica. “I’m happy that they are introducing it. Other states do it.”

“I like the direction they’re going,” added Anthony Pavicic, the boys coach at Sterling Heights.

The MHSAA posted on its website answers to frequently asked questions.

“Each year,” the association said, “deserving athletes are left out of the MHSAA state finals due to the conditions at their MHSAA regional.

“Due to a date range of three days, weather, and geography, each region can have drastically different conditions, and conditions make a huge impact on performances.”

Coaches have seen athletes miss finals berths for a variety of reasons.

Andrew Brosnihan, the girls coach at Sterling Heights, recalled a thrower who likely would have qualified but had to miss a regional because of a college orientation requirement.

“We’ve had some nasty regionals where kids did not get out because of the weather, especially in field events,” Berry added.

EQ standards, which were determined by calculating the three-year average for sixth-place finishes at each division final, are tougher than additional qualifying standards used at regionals.

For example, in Division 1, the boys 1600-meter EQ time is 4:14.0, and the AQ time is 4:22.5. Respective girls times are 4:52.0 and 5:09.0.

In Division 2, the boys discus EQ distance is 156-0, and the AQ mark is 142-0. Girls distances are 120-0 and 107-10.

“They are tough,” Brosnihan said of the EQ marks.

So tough, Fraser coach Kevin Storai said, that the process might not yield many early qualifiers.

“It’s not going to impact most of the D1 kids,” Storai said. “The times are so fast, and the marks for field events are crazy.

“It might make more of a difference in D3 and D4.”

“I’m glad they made the standards tough for the first year doing this,” Berry added. “They can adjust later if necessary.”

Regional formats did not change. Any athlete who places first or second will still automatically qualify for the state finals, even if they did not meet the AQ standards.

A change, the MHSAA said, is that now, if an athlete attains an EQ in the prelims of the 100 or 200 dash or the 100/110 hurdles, they will qualify for the finals provided they compete in the regional final.

In the FAQ, the MHSAA acknowledged there is “legitimate concern” that the EQ will add too many athletes to the state finals and lengthen the time of the meet.

“With the EQ standard being tough, it is not anticipated that there will be a drastic increase in participation at the state finals,” the FAQ said.

“I don’t think it’s going to cause a problem there,” Brosnihan said. “If someone qualifies in four events, are they going to compete in all four in the finals?”

Some also wonder if teams will be less intent on winning regional championships since athletes who’ve qualified for state won’t need to compete to advance.

“It is not likely,” the MHSAA FAQ said. “MHSAA regionals will still be giving away an MHSAA regional trophy which has meaning in every single sport.

“Athletes who have already qualified will … be able to use regionals as a springboard to the state finals or compete in other events to better serve their team. Coaches will be free to put athletes in spots to maximize points at regionals without having to sacrifice state meet qualification or seeding.”

Berry said being able to tinker with lineups will “change the dynamic” of regionals.

“To get your hands on that trophy is a great goal to have,” she said. “It might change strategy.”

“It depends,” Pavicic added, “on how much stock coaches put in the regional meet.”

Meets had to be approved to serve as EQ events.

Requirements include the use of fully automated timing, the presence of six or more teams (there are exceptions) and the weighing of implements.

Regional meets will be May 15-17 at several sites.

Macomb County Division 1 teams were assigned to regionals at Grosse Pointe South and Romeo; Division 2 at Oakland University and North Branch; Division 3 at Algonac, and Division 4 at Dryden and Lutheran Westland.

At state finals, an athlete’s best qualifying mark will be used for seeding purposes.

[For the full list of MHSAA-issued EQ standards, check out this story online.]