Building the Next Generation of Track & Field Officials: Meet Jen Myers

The Officials Certification Chair serves as a connection among community members interested in obtaining track and field officials certifications, event hosts seeking certified officials, and the national USATF governing body.  While much of the paperwork and processes go on behind the scenes, Minnesota's Cert Chair doesn't shy away from some public promotion.

 

Jen Myers stepped into the role in November 2025 and has since helped certify 14 new officials (for a total of 72 active certifications as of August 2026). The certification process can be tedious, with multiple websites and platforms to navigate from start to finish. Jen enjoys problem-solving with new officials and tracking interested contacts on her ever-evolving spreadsheet. 

 

Jen is a very active official herself, working at 40+ high school and college track and field and cross country meets each season, as well as the All-Comers meets hosted by USATF. Her two favorite officiating roles are starter and clerk, although she's taken a shine to pole vault too! She prides herself on being an approachable and positive official, and wants all athletes to feel welcomed when competing. 

 

Jen found that officiating was the best option for her to stay involved with a sport she loved - and she continually searches for others like her when she's representing USATF. She'll approach parents and fans with her business card, she'll do shameless plugs over the intercom at track meets, and she'll follow up diligently (annoyingly?) with anyone who shows an ounce of curiosity. Officiating, just like any other avocation, needs a continuous stream of new people to keep the safety and integrity of the sport alive. Anyone age 18 or older with a passion for the sport is encouraged to consider helping to continue in the future.

 

A few of Jen's memorable moments with officiating include co-starting the Minnesota State High School League State Track Meet with her officiating friend Rita as the first starting crew in state history with two females, and also co-starting the State meet with her officiating friend Dan, who was the starter during her own competition at the State meet (100, 200, 400 meters) 25+ years previous.  In November of 2026, Jen will make her NCAA national debut as the starter for the Division III National Cross Country Championships, hosted at Carleton College in Northfield, MN.  

Nice work Jen and we're glad to have you!