Although the forecast calls for heavy rain -- and a flood watch has been issued -- bring your umbrellas to today's scheduled YAIAA track and field championships at Dallastown High School.

Barring thunderstorms, the show most likely will go on.

There really aren't a lot of options.

Dallastown athletic director Tory Harvey said there is a contingency plan of moving the event to 10 a.m. Saturday if thunderstorms hit the area.

One thing is certain: All District 3 track entries have to be given to league representative Herb Schmidt by 9 p.m. Saturday.

It is definitely a dilemma, especially for kids who need strong performances at the YAIAA meet to qualify for the District 3 meet, which takes place May 16 and 17 at Shippensburg University.

"On one side you have inclement weather that isn't good for kids, but on the other you have kids that might be real close (to qualifying for districts), so you would like to give them a chance," Harvey said Thursday night.

Northeastern track coach Tim Walker said he has a couple of young sprinters who are close to qualifying for districts and need good times at the YAIAA meet that could be affected by the elements.

"Some of those kids on the bubble, the bubble is going to win," he said. "Everybody was looking forward to some good times for district qualifications. It is not a fun way to end a season."

When it comes to sprinters, the greater concern actually might be the cold, with expected temperatures below

"If it is seasoned athlete the rain isn't going to slow them down as much," Walker said. "The cold is going to play (a bigger part), and the mentality of how they come into it. But they have got to do it."

While some might argue -- given all these factors -- the meet should be pushed back

for a day, it isn't that easy. Plus, there are showers in Saturday's forecast as well.

If they move the meet to Saturday and thunderstorms develop -- which causes an automatic delay that can go on for hours -- suddenly the YAIAA is out of options.

The meet has forged ahead despite its share of cool, damp conditions in the past. In fact, longtime West York boys' coach Larry Becker only recalls one time the league meet was postponed.

He prepares his team accordingly and is not overly concerned.

"If we have to go we are used to it," Becker said. "We practice in the rain. I tell them at beginning of season to be prepared. Barring slippery conditions where it affects the jumps, I don't see a problem. I wouldn't say that it will be a factor for us."

Fairfield coach Bob Remaley has a simple way to get the kids ready for bad weather.

"Take them out in it and say, 'Hey, this is for everybody,'" he said. "The more you sit inside and complain it affects you mentally. You just have to get out in it."

Of course, Remaley has a greater concern about a potential push to Saturday -- the long bus ride from Fairfield to Dallastown. As long as he knows by noon, there won't be a problem.

However, being notified later could cause some issues as Remaley said he plans for the bus to depart western Adams County by 1 p.m.

All of the coaches agree that because of the conditions, staying warm is the most important thing so kids don't tighten up.

There is one other possible scenario of delay beyond Saturday. If an event is deemed unsafe because of the weather, it can be pushed back as late as Wednesday.

However, that rule only applies to an event such as pole vault and not the entire meet.
snavaroli@ydr.com; 771-2060

TODAY'S EVENT

   What: YAIAA track and field championships

   Where: Dallastown High School

   When: 3:30 p.m.

   Updates: Follow online at www.inyork.com/ydr for weather and event updates