For example, in California and Pennsylvania, high school and middle school athletes race the 300 meter hurdles rather than the 400 meter hurdles, as the majority of state competitors do now. The distance between the hurdles is the same as the start of a regular 400-meter race, which would feature 10 hurdles. Middle school athletes usually have less training than high school athletes and are not expected to run the full length of the race. Middle school athletes face many challenges different from those faced by high school athletes. Most important is the fact that they are still growing and developing. High school athletes have already reached their maximum height; they are just trying to build more muscle and increase their speed. But middle school athletes can still grow another 2 to 4 inches by their senior year. This means they have less room for error when it comes to taking measurements for events such as jumping or throwing. Additionally, middle school athletes must compete in more events than their high school counterparts. For example, a middle school athlete might only be able to participate in one event at the state meet: the 100-yard dash. But because there are so many other events to choose from (such as relay races), this athlete would still earn a spot on the team. Last but not least, middle school athletes need to keep in mind the long-term goal of being on a sports team. High school athletes want to make the varsity squad so they can play with the best players available.