Proposal for national golf, cross-country competitions voted down

INDIANAPOLIS - The National Federation of State High School Associations has rejected a proposal that would have allowed it to conduct national championships in golf and cross-country.

Twenty-two member state associations were in favor and 21 were against it, but a two-thirds majority was required.

Executive director Bob Gardner said this week's vote shows that state championships are still the preferred goal in high school sports.

Since the original declaration by the membership against national championships in 1934, the federation has not supported or sanctioned national competition that leads to a single team champion. In 1979, there was a 38-9 vote against a proposal to conduct national invitational competitions in golf, tennis, and track and field during the summer.

The Indianapolis-based federation has directed development of model national championships in several sports for consideration by its members.