CHAPEL HILL – The North Carolina High School Athletic Association state indoor track and field championships will have a new look this year.

The 21st annual edition, scheduled for the Eddie Smith Fieldhouse on the campus on the University of North Carolina on Saturday, will for the first time be a classified championship. Indoor track has always been conducted as an “open” championship, with all schools regardless of size competing for the same championship.

The number of schools offering the sport has grown, however, so that this year there will be two separate championships, including 4-A schools competing separately and then the 1-A, 2-A and 3-A schools competing in the other classification.

The 1-A/2-A/3-A championships will get underway at 9 a.m., with the 4-A meet slated to start at 4 p.m.

In the 2006 open championships, Southeast Raleigh captured the team title in women’s competition led by Most Valuable Performer Gabby Mayo. Mayo and record-setting teammate Ebonie Cunningham have once again qualified for the state meet.

On the men’s side last year, Winston-Salem R.J. Reynolds and New Bern finished in a dead heat for the team crown.

Johnny Dutch of Clayton, who last year set a new meet record in the 55 meter hurdles as a junior, has qualified for the state meet in a couple of events,

Wendy’s and the Carolina Ford Dealers are the presenting sponsors of the NCHSAA sports programs.

NOTE: Refer to the Indoor Track page on the NCHSAA website (under Select A Sport) and you can find performance listings for all qualifiers in both of the indoor track championships, as well as a schedule of events and other information.