It’s never easy to qualify for the state cross country meet, but it will be easier this year.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association has added one division for cross country, expanding from three divisions to four for the first time.

The change starts Saturday as local teams will be competing at Canton GlenOak and Cambridge high schools.

The state cross country meet for boys had one division from 1928-65; two divisions from 1966-69; and three divisions since 1970.

The girls state cross country meet had two divisions from 1978-81 and 1989-93 and three divisions from 1982-88 and 1994-present.

The Northeast district at Canton GlenOak gets under way at 10 a.m. Saturday with the Division IV girls.

Columbiana, East Palestine, Heartland Christian, Lisbon, South Range, Southern Local and United are among the 17 schools competing with the top six teams and 12 individuals advancing to regionals.

The Division IV boys with Columbiana, East Palestine, Heartland Christian, Lisbon, Sebring, Southern Local and United will follow at 10:45 a.m. There are 18 schools entered with the top six teams and 12 individuals moving on.

The Division III girls with Salem and West Branch will run at 11:45 a.m. There are 19 schools competing with the top 10 teams and 20 individuals advancing.

The Division III boys with West Branch and South Range will race at 12:30 p.m. There are 15 schools with the top seven teams and 14 individuals going to next week.

The Salem boys are the only Division II team in the area. The Quakers are among the 27 schools in Division II, joining Canfield and Marlington among the 27 schools racing for regional berths. The top 15 teams and 30 individuals will advance.

All the local teams in the East district — Beaver Local, East Liverpool, Edison and Minerva — will be in the Division III races at Cambridge High School on Saturday.

The Division III girls race at 11:45 a.m. has 25 schools competing with the top 13 teams and 26 individuals advancing.

The Division III boys will run at 12:30 p.m. with 21 schools. The top 11 teams and 22 individuals qualify for regionals.