SMW Officials

Regional Coordinators:

• Dean Ford, SMW-Lower (AR,LA, Tx-south of Waco)
• Merry Prather, SWW-Upper (OK, TX-north of Waco)

The region has been split east to west through Waco, Texas, with Merry having the northern area plus Oklahoma and Dean having the southern area plus Louisiana and Arkansas.

Currently there are two clinics scheduled for this race season.  The first one is on Saturday, June 5, in Irving, TX (2-5 PM) in conjunction with the Playtri Festival.  The second one is on Saturday, September 11, in Grand Priarie, TX (2-5 PM) in conjunction with Prairie Man.

For questions about clinics, scheduling a clinic in your area, or any Officiating questions please contact: Merry Prather (prather.merry@gmail.com)  or Dean Ford (triman1082@gmail.com).

The USAT Competitive Rules can be downloaded in PDF format. All participants are required to follow the listed rules at each USAT Sanctioned event, and could be penalized for violating them.It is suggested that all USAT members be familiar with the listed rules.

As Regional Coordinators of Officials for USA Triathlon South Midwest Region, we were appointed by the Commissioner of Officials, Charlie Crawford. Responsibilities include recruitment, training, and recertifying USAT Officials. We work with the Commissioner on maintaining the highest level of rules interpretation and understanding. We assign officials for USAT sanctioned races in the four state region with approximately 50 officials.

We maintain a file of sanctioned races that officials are assigned to, and they must turn in two reports after each race. The Head Referee Report is posted at a race notifying athletes if penalties are assessed from violation reports. A Post Race Evaluation is the second report that provides USAT headquarters and the Commissioner a checklist of such items as water temperature, lifeguards present, venue, transition security, emergency personnel, etc. A narrative of pros and cons of what the assigned Head Referee observed at a race is also included.