USA Track & Field (USATF) is the national governing body of track & field.  Before any athlete can compete in a USATF-sanctioned meet, whether as a member of the Wings of Omaha or not, he/she must first become a member of USATF.  Included in the Wings membership fee is the cost of the athlete’s USATF membership.  Any athlete wishing to join the Wings must, after paying the club membership fee, complete a USATF membership application and return it to the club along with proof-of-age verification, such as a copy of a birth or baptismal certificate, state or military I.D. card, or driver’s license.  The athlete is encouraged to apply for their USATF membership as soon as possible to ensure they have their USATF membership card (usually called a “USATF card”) in hand before their first meet.

How do I register for membership to the USATF?

Click the link – USATF Online Membership Application, complete the online application and enter 185 as the club number.

What are Youth Athletic and Junior Olympic meets?

Both Youth Athletic and Junior Olympic meets are sanctioned by USA Track & Field, and the same events are offered in both.  Athletes in the Young Men/Women, Intermediate, and Youth age groups may compete in up to four (4) events, while Midgets, Bantams, and Sub-Bantams may compete in up to three (3) events.  Combined event competitions (e.g. triathlon, pentathlon) do not count against an athlete’s event limit.

Youth Athletic (also called “Youth” or “Age Group”) meets are open to all USATF-member athletes.  The entry procedure for each Youth meet will be explained at club practices, usually within a week or two of the meet.  Any USATF-member athlete may register for and compete at any Youth meet.  All meets on the competition schedule are Youth meets except those that include the phrase “Junior Olympic”.

Junior Olympic (or “JO”) meets are based on a stair-stepping program of qualifying meets, leading to the National Junior Olympic meet.  The advancement procedure looks like this:

When are the meets and how do I enter them?

2019 Meet Schedule.  An athlete wishing to compete in any of these meets as a Wings of Omaha must first become a member of the club.  After practices begin in mid-March, the competition season starts in early May, with meets held generally each weekend through the end of July.  As information on each of these meets becomes available to the club, it will be relayed to the athletes during the team meeting that follows most practices.  Note: May meets are usually open only to the younger age groups (Youth, Midget, Bantam, Sub-Bantam), since the older age groups are not allowed to compete until their high school seasons have completed.

When an athlete is ready to sign up for an upcoming meet, he/she or a parent must contact Tony Welchen, our Meet Entry Coordinator, either at practice or by e-mail or phone.  Please be prepared to give:
1.  Athlete’s name
2.  Age group
3.  Desired events

Remember: At each meet, Young Men/Women, Intermediates, and Youths may compete in up to four (4) events, and Midgets, Bantams, and Sub-Bantams may compete in up to three (3) events.  If an athlete wishes to run on one or more relay events, tell the Meet Entry Coordinator what other events, if any, to drop to ensure that the athlete is not competing in more than the maximum number of events allowed.

What about practices?

The Wings track practice season begins in mid-March and ends in late July.  Most practices will be held at Omaha Northwest High School, 8204 Crown Point Avenue (enter by Baseball Field parking lot).  Practice dates and times during April and May will vary depending on Northwest High’s activities calendar, although most practices will start at 5:30 p.m.  Practices during June and July will generally be on Mondays, Tuesday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.  Check our News and Events page for the most up-to-date schedule.

The 5:30 p.m. starting time is the actual time our workouts begin.  Arrive at the track 10 to 15 minutes early to warm up and stretch so that you’re ready to begin your workout at 5:30.  Most practices will last about 75 to 90 minutes and are followed by a mandatory team meeting, where the coaches will share important club news, such as information on upcoming meets and practices and to recognize athlete accomplishments.  If an athlete needs to leave practice early for any reason, it is their responsibility to inform the head coach at the beginning of practice.  In the event of inclement weather, each athlete’s parents should make their own decision on whether to come to practice.  Practices will normally be held, but may be canceled at the last minute if the weather is a problem.  If practice is called off early enough, we will post a notice on the club’s web site and e-mail all parents and athletes whose addresses we have on file.

The Wings‘ basic philosophy is that our coaches cannot help an athlete unless they are at practice.  Our practices are very demanding, so if an athlete is not coming to practice to work hard, then the Wings may not be for them.  We’d like the athlete to attend practice as often as possible, but also encourage them to participate in other sports that they enjoy.  If the athlete needs to miss a practice for any reason, the coaches can give them a workout to do on their own.  Ultimately, the harder the athlete works in practice, and on their own outside of practice, the better they will perform in meets.

What about uniforms?

What are the parents’ roles in the Wings?

The club also encourages parents to attend our practices.  This gives you the opportunity to meet the parents of other athletes, and, by being at practice, you will get the same information we give the athletes during our post practice team meetings.  We would ask, however, that parents watch the practices from the bleachers.  Also, we encourage parents become a United States Track and Field member by purchasing a USATF card, which can be used to gain free admission into all USATF-sanctioned association, regional, and national meets.

Are the Wings more than just meets and practices?

Yes!  Our club motto is “Speed + Self Discipline + Determination = Winners“.  Lifelong friendships between athletes, and also between adults, have been fostered through participation and involvement with the Wings.  Several social activities are planned for this season.  Tentative dates are:

How much does it cost to join the Wings?

For athletes wanting to join the Wings for the 2019 track & field season, the cost approximately TBD (USATF membership card plus entry fees for 6 scheduled meets x 3 events per meet and running basic shorts and top).  This does not include entry fees for the State, Regional or National meets.  Parents are responsible for transportation, snacks, meet seating and monitoring child when they are not competing.

No one need sign up for club membership if they are unsure if the Wings are right for them.  We encourage newcomers to participate in a few practices first to see if it is something they want to do.  Before competing in a meet as a Wing,

What do I need to do to join the Wings?

If you want to join for the upcoming season, here’s what we need:

The best way to stay “in the know” is to attend the team meetings that follow most practices.  Any upcoming meet, practice, or other club activity information will be distributed and/or discussed there.  Another way is to periodically check the Wings web site for updates.  Plus, make sure the club knows your e-mail address, as occasional announcements, reminders, or other news items are e-mailed to parents and athletes.

I’m in track at school.  Can I also participate with the Wings?

High school athletes are not eligible to participate in our practices or compete in our meets until their school season is over, either after their district or state meet.  However, junior high and middle school athletes can participate in our practices and compete in our meets.