The upgraded John Tyler high school track is out of the running for a varsity meet — for 2013 at least.

The Earl Campbell/Emma Barrett Relays were canceled due to lack of participation, TISD athletic director Rod Kaspar told the Tyler Morning Telegraph.

Kaspar and JT athletic coordinator Ricklan Holmes collaborated on the decision on Thursday to forego the meet instead of going forward with a limited amount of teams.

“We didn’t get enough response,” said Kaspar, who noted Metroplex meets on the same day and the basketball playoffs as other conflicts. “We’ll start working on it again for next year and get a quicker jump to make sure we get what we need.”

The meet was slated to take place on Saturday at John Tyler High School, which received upgrades including new bleachers, concessions stands, jumping pits and improved lighting since last year. The meet was formerly held at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium, which removed two of the seven lanes last summer to widen the playing surface to accommodate soccer.

The Earl Campbell Relays, named for the former JT running back who starred at the University of Texas and for the Houston Oilers before being enshrined into the Hall of Fame, date back to 1979. The Emma Barrett Relays, named to honor JT’s former track coach of 30 years following her death, started in 2005. The Barrett Relays originated as a girls-only meet prior to joining up with the Campbell Relays and constituting the female bracket.

“We’re disappointed it didn’t happen,” said Kaspar, who indicated middle school meets, and possibly others, will be held at the JT track during the spring. “We know it’s a tradition. We’ll do everything in our power to get it back and running next year and better than ever.”

JT’s boys and girls teams will compete in the Bulldog Relays at Chapel Hill High School today, along with Robert E. Lee. The field events begin at noon, with the running finals slated to get underway at 4:15 p.m.