Tri meet points
| Place | Individual event | Relay |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | 5 |
| 2nd | 3 | 3 |
| 3rd | 2 | 0 |
| 4th | 1 | 0 |
Each individual event is worth 11 points and each relay 8.
Example: three teams, four events
- 4x800m relay: Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt. Jefferson 5, Lincoln 3.
- 100m hurdles: Lincoln, Roosevelt, Jefferson, Lincoln. Lincoln 5 + 1 = 6, Roosevelt 3, Jefferson 2.
- 100m: Roosevelt, Jefferson, then Lincoln and Roosevelt tie for 3rd and share 2 + 1. Roosevelt 6½, Jefferson 3, Lincoln 1½.
- 1600m: Jefferson, Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Roosevelt. Jefferson 8, Lincoln 2, Roosevelt 1.
After four events: Jefferson 18, Lincoln 12½, Roosevelt 10½. Open this example in the scorer.
Tri meet or triple-dual?
A tri meet gives one score for each team. A triple-dual scores the same races as three dual meets, 5-3-1, one for each pair of teams. Scoring each pair from one finish order is common practice; the Delaware DIAA wrote it down in a procedure for swim meets. With the results above as a triple-dual, Lincoln beats Roosevelt 18 to 14, Jefferson beats Lincoln 21 to 10 and Jefferson beats Roosevelt 19 to 12. Open the triple-dual. Agree which one you're running before the meet.
Questions coaches ask
How many places score in a tri meet?
Four places in individual events (5-3-2-1) and two in relays (5-3), with one scoring relay per school.
What if only three athletes finish an event?
They get 5, 3 and 2 and the 1 point for 4th place is not given to anyone.
Can a tri meet be scored as dual meets?
Yes, if the schools agree. Choose Triple-dual to score every pair as a 5-3-1 dual from the same places, or Double-dual for the host against each visitor. That is common practice, written down by the Delaware DIAA for swim meets.
Is a tri meet scored the same in every state?
5-3-2-1 is the NFHS default for three teams and league handbooks score relays 5-3, but leagues can set their own. Check your league handbook and pick Custom points if it differs.
Point tables from the Oregon OSAA 2026 Track and Field Plan Book (NFHS scoring chart) (individual points by number of teams), Southern Maine Middle School Indoor Track League rules, Mat-Su Borough School District middle school track and field rules, Saint Paul middle school track and field guidelines, Section XI (NY) Spring Track and Field handbook, MHSAA (Michigan) coaches guidebook, KSHSAA (Kansas) 2025-26 track and field manual, TSSAA (Tennessee) middle school track regulations and the UIL (Texas) 2025 district and area track meet director manual. Ties: NFHS Rule 6-3 as printed in SDHSAA "Breaking ties" (NFHS Rule 6-3) and the UIL tie-breaker procedures. Double-dual and triple-dual: common practice, written down in the Delaware DIAA double-dual and triple-dual scoring procedure (written for swim meets, same pairing). One scoring relay per school: Section XI handbook, Saint Paul guidelines and Southern Maine league rules. Your league or meet director has the final word on scoring.