| from a slower state |
| ||
|
4x200 rankings: Texas has 9 of the top 10 times nationally, and 25 of the top 32. WTF? What the hell is going on down there? How are they so freaking dominant? |
| that SoCal guy |
| ||
|
They've gained skill by osmosis as a result of their proximity to Southern California, the track and field capitol of the world. |
| Uncommon event |
| ||
|
4x200m is not a very common event, so that's probably got something to do with it. How dominant is Texas in the regular sprint events? If not equally dominant, then it's probably cause they do the 4x200m more than anyone else. Personally, I've never seen that event ever run. |
| from a slower state |
| ||
With all due respect, TX is handing it to Cali and the rest of the country. I would expect more Cali and Fla teams ranked in the top 25. Any thoughts on the matter other than masturbatory chest thumping? |
| i kinda like running |
| ||
|
I'm not sure, but I'm guessing it's at least partially due to the fact that Texas is the second most populous state in the US. More competition. |
| that SoCal guy |
| ||
|
As mentioned above, teams from the track and field capitol of the world do not run the 4X200. |
| from a slower state |
| ||
|
8 of the top 10 4X4. 6 of the top 12 4X1. But point taken about the 4x2. Didn't realize it wasn't that common. I've never been to a h.s. meet without it... http://dyestat.rise.espn.go.com/dselite.jsp?event=4x400&&state=TX&seasontype=OUT&seasonyear=2012&athclass= And if population were the determining factor, California would have more teams than TX. And, I'm guessing that the 49 other states combined have a significantly higher population... ya think? |
| OHIIO |
| ||
|
Ohio's state champ last year in the 4X2 was ranked #52 in the country, and would've only been like 38th in Texas. And Ohio isn't a poor track state by any stretch. Nor is it sparsely populated... Slow moving watches? |
| that SoCal guy |
| ||
|
Tell me this: how many Texas athletes have earned Olympic medals in the 4X200? There has NEVER been an Olympic 4X200m final without at least one athlete from the track and field capitol of the world. |
| 722 |
| ||
0/10 Obviously the discussion is about high school sprinters. Take your drivel elsewhere. I'm sure you already started a thread about SoCal being the so-called "track and field capitol of the world" |
| watchout |
| ||
|
Things wouldn't really change in the 4x200m US Top-10 rankings even if California (and all other states) ran the 4x200m. Texas is just that good at relays. Remember, these are the # of teams from each state in the US Top-10 for sprint relays: 4x100m US Top-10 Boys: 5 from TX, 4 from FL, 1 from AZ 4x200m US Top-10 Boys: 9 from TX, 1 from LA 4x400m US Top-10 Boys: 8 from TX, 1 from NY, 1 from FL 4x100m US Top-10 Girls: 5 from TX, 2 from FL, 1 from GA, 1 from CA, 1 from AZ 4x200m US Top-10 Girls: 7 from TX, 1 from NC, 1 from GA, 1 from CA 4x400m US Top-10 Girls: 7 from TX, 2 from FL, 1 from GA ... the trend is clear (though partly because Texas and Florida have both finished their state meets, while most states including California aren't there yet). Part of that is because there are a lot of fast people in that area, part of it is because of great sprinting weather the vast majority of the year, part of it is because the relays are worth twice as many points as individual events in Texas, and part of it is because the state qualification system in Texas is the most brutal in the nation (you have to be the very best to make it to state in 5A (and for the most part 4A), moreso than in other states -- even California. That causes athletes to focus more on specific events -- instead of running everything from 100m-400m like you might in some states, you can only really run the 100m, 4x100m, and 4x200m (for example)... And, of course, there is definitely this as well, which is at least as big a factor:
Second biggest raw population pool to draw from, and with higher populations come increased competition, breeding further success. |
| that SoCal guy |
| ||
Right. I'm talking about former Texas high school athletes vs. former track and field capitol of the world high school track athletes. No former Texas high school track runner has ever won an Olympic medal in the 4X200m. On the other hand, there has never been an Olympic 4X200m final without a former track and field capitol of the world high school track athlete. |
| relay scoring |
| ||
|
Isn't there something weird about relay scoring in Texas? I thought I'd read that relays counted for more points than other events, but I could be wrong. If that's the case, then there is extra incentive to put together really good relay team. |
| 722 |
| ||
Wanna read through that one again? |
| watchout |
| ||
Yes, that's why I said "the relays are worth twice as many points as individual events in Texas" Winning a relay in Texas is worth 20 points. Winning an individual event in Texas is worth 10 points (same as everywhere else). |
| 722 |
| ||
Yes, that's why I said "the relays are worth twice as many points as individual events in Texas" Winning a relay in Texas is worth 20 points. Winning an individual event in Texas is worth 10 points (same as everywhere else).[/quote] Relays are definitely stressed more once the regional meets start, especially for teams that don't have the depth for six runners to get through prelims. A lot of runners who qualified in individual events would indeed drop them to focus on the relays on my high school team and it was common for a lot of schools. |