Given the pandemic still holding a direct effect on the daily lives of New Yorkers, NSAF has decided to cancel the NSAF Indoor Nationals for 2021, set to be held at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Facility for the first time.
"Though disappointed, we support the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation's decision to cancel this year's Indoor High School National Championships. Safety is our top priority and we're committed to maintaining a safe space for all athletes, officials, and staff," said NYC Parks' Ocean Breeze Park Administrator Lauren Primerano. "We're thankful for our continued partnership with NSAF and look forward to welcoming athletes back to Ocean Breeze for the 2022 National Championships."
The move mirrors the decision made by New Balance Indoor Nationals to cancel, which was originally set to be held at the Armory, most likely on the same weekend.
Ocean Breeze has not concluded holding meets, however. They are still set to host the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in two weeks, which will bring some of the best stars in the World to compete at the premiere facility. In what has been set as an Olympic Year, we've already seen one Indoor World Record go down this month, with several Top 10 All-Time Bests notched as well. In addition, there are several HS offerings, more targeted towards a local contingency, in the works.
Announced a day earlier, the ADIDAS Indoor Nationals are still set to take place February 26th - 28th in Virginia Beach, live streamed exclusively on the MileSplit platform. The new Indoor Facility has found success in the pandemic with meets such as the VA Showcase and the 757 Showdown. As with all Indoor Meets this Season, strict guidelines will be followed relative to the area of the country they reside in.
Also announced by NSAF would be an Outdoor Meet, to be held March 25th through the 28th in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, named USA Meet Of Champions. The meet looks to mimic the initiative NSAF put forward in XC with their XC Town USA Meet Of Champions, to replace the then-canceled Cross National Championships.
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"The goal of our championship events is always to provide the best experience for the full spectrum of athletes, coaches, officials and families, as we've done for more than 30 years," said NSAF Meet Director Kristi Rieger. "And our first priority is the health and safety of everyone involved. We've determined that we can't yet conduct the Indoor Nationals at the level we and the athletes, coaches, and parents from around the nation expect of the NSAF.
"We have determined that we can, however, still provide a fantastic opportunity to student-athletes around the country with our new event in Myrtle Beach," Ms. Rieger continued. "This is a 15-acre complex with a separate football field-sized warmup area, plus throwing areas outside the stadium. We will have testing protocols that will be stricter than any other meet we know of in the country for the safety of all, plus a well-spaced meet schedule over four days."
More details about the NSAF USA Meet of Champions at Myrtle Beach, SC will be announced in the coming days.
Full Press Release
Given the pandemic still holding a direct effect on the daily lives of New Yorkers, NSAF has decided to cancel the NSAF Indoor Nationals for 2021, set to be held at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Facility for the first time.
"Though disappointed, we support the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation's decision to cancel this year's Indoor High School National Championships. Safety is our top priority and we're committed to maintaining a safe space for all athletes, officials, and staff," said NYC Parks' Ocean Breeze Park Administrator Lauren Primerano. "We're thankful for our continued partnership with NSAF and look forward to welcoming athletes back to Ocean Breeze for the 2022 National Championships."
