There’s a new wrinkle in track and field competition this year.

It’s called sectionals, and it means that finishing in the top two in a region meet is no longer a guarantee of a trip to state.

"At Regions, typically the top two event placers automatically advance to the state meet," said Richmond Hill High School track coach Levi Sybert. "This year, the top four placers per event will advance to a ‘Sectional’ meet, where four different regions, half of the state, will compete head to head where the top eight athletes per event will advance to the state meet. This new format should produce a more well-rounded, competitive field by the time the state meet is contended."

While Bryan County High School started its bid for state titles on Tuesday in Statesboro, Sybert’s Wildcats open their postseason today in Waycross.

The 2-AAAA meet concludes Saturday.

"It will be a competitive field again this year," Sybert said. "Each of the 12 teams seems to bring something strong to the 16 event mix. We are looking to get more events to Saturday’s final than last year, as that would be a good mark on the growth of the team this year.

Read full story in Wednesday's Bryan County News.