The Division II Administrative Committee on Wednesday approved a reduction in the minimum contest requirements for selections to the 2022 Division II winter championships.
The Division II Championships Committee recommended the reductions after a review of event/contest cancellations due to COVID-19, data provided by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association and input from membership regarding the ability to meet contest minimums for championship selection criteria in winter sports.
The reductions to contest minimums, listed below, range from 14%-25%, except for indoor track and field, which will require one qualifying mark for athletes to be selected.
Reductions were also approved to the number of participants a team needs to count a contest toward championship selection criteria in men's and women's swimming and diving (now eight participants) and wrestling (now five participants). The reduction in participants reflects challenges schools have faced in roster sizes for competitions this academic year. The changes also include waiving the in-region requirement for men's and women's basketball teams to play 18 of their games within their region. The committee also waived the sports sponsorship requirement for selection purposes in swimming and diving and indoor track and field.
"These reductions were carefully considered and provide Division II schools and student-athletes relief from cancellations due to COVID-19's continued impact," said Steven Shirley, president at Minot State who also serves as chair of the Division II Administrative Committee and Presidents Council. "Providing student-athletes unparalleled access to championships is a pillar of Division II, and these reductions reflect a commitment to maintaining that access."
Schools unable to meet the updated minimum contest requirements for winter sport championship selection because of circumstances related to COVID-19 (or other catastrophic circumstances) may still submit a waiver request.
| SPORT |
MINIMUM STANDARDS |
2022 REDUCTIONS |
| Men's and Women's Basketball |
22 contests (18 in-region) |
19* contests (no in-region requirement) |
| Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving |
8 contests with 11 participants and meet sports sponsorship |
6 contests with 8 participants. No sports sponsorship requirement for selections. |
| Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field |
4 contests with 10 participants and meet sports sponsorship |
1 qualifying mark. No sports sponsorship requirement for selections. |
| Wrestling |
9 contests with 6 participants |
7 contests with 5 participants |
* Contests played as part of a conference tournament count toward the minimum requirement.
