How To Qualify For The State Meet Based On Classification

Ben Thompson

TSSAA State Qualifying

Last year I got a crash course in all the different ways each classification and division run their qualification system. As you'll see, they differ quite a bit. Even within some divisions, you'll see variations from sectional to sectional. Last year we had only four classifications and this year we have five. Hopefully this will serve as a quick explainer for those who find themselves in new regions, sections, or classifications entirely as we enter qualifying season. 

As you read the article, all hyperlinks will send you to the associated rankings filter so you can see where you rank against those you'll be competing against. 

High Level Breakdown

Classification

# of Qualifiers

# of Qualifying Meets

# of At-Large Qualifiers

DI AAA

1640

DI AA

832

DI A

832

DII AA

835

DII A

832



Division I Class AAA

The largest 84 public schools ranging from enrollment of approximately 1200 and up. 

  • Number of Qualifiers: 16
  • Qualifying Meets: 4
  • Type of Qualifier: Sectional
  • How to Qualify for State: Place Top 4 at a Sectional Championship, No At Large Qualifiers


Parent Section

Further Breakdown

Section 1

None 

Section 2

Four District Qualifiers 

District 1

District 2

District 3

District 4

Section 3

Two Sub-Sectional Qualifiers

North Sub-Sectional

South Sub-Sectional

Section 4

None


  • Section 1 - Seeded finals. Any athlete that meets the qualifying standard may enter. 
  • Section 2 -  Top 4 finishers from each district advance to Sectionals. Section runs two heats of seeded finals. 
  • Section 3 - Top 8 finishers from north, top 8 finishers from south. 16 qualify for section final with two seeded heats. 
  • Section 4 - Prelims for sprint events where top 8 advance to finals. No prelims for Relays or Distance.