CIF TO USE CHIP TIMING AT STATE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

www.cifstate.org
State Media
Release
CIF State Office, 4658 Duckhorn Drive, Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone: 916-239-4477 Fax: 916-239-4478
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Quwan Spears, Sports Information Officer
Date: Oct. 12, 2009 qspears@cifstate.org


CIF TO USE CHIP TIMING AT STATE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

SACRAMENTO --- In a strong effort to enhance the quality of postseason high school
sporting events, the CIF State Office announced today it will use Chip Timing at the 2009
CIF State Cross Country Championships Saturday, Nov. 28, at Woodward Park in Fresno.
Chip Timing is a system that requires athletes to wear a lightweight small chip on the
shoelace or on an ankle bracelet. The CIF will mandate runners wear a chip on both
shoelaces. The chip helps identify runners as they cross strategically placed electronic
mats throughout the course. The system can accurately chart runners split and finish times.
Chip Timing also provides immediate race updates, and compensates for slow starts
caused by crowded starting areas.
A generous sponsorship by Nike makes Chip Timing possible for the first time in the
history of the state championships, which started in 1987.
“The CIF is pleased and excited about using Chip Timing in our CIF State Cross Country
Championships,” CIF State Executive Director Marie M. Ishida said. “Not only will this
system provide quicker results of races, but it will provide a safer finish as runners will not
have to be funneled down narrow chutes to ensure the proper order of finish. We want to
thank Nike for providing their support of this state of the art timing system.”