Yes, the FM team picked up a top girl this season, she had previously run for another school nearby.
Also, the 2004 Toga team got two of the Argyle girls when that team closed shop (Davidson and lane), there are a few others who haved moved around to form power house teams (Murdoch to Shen), can't think of others off the top of my head.
I know all that, but still- if you stick my boy's speed ratings into the NXN race we would finish about 15th- we didn't even win our class at states and didn't make the Federation meet even after some schools dropped out to concentrate on the regionals.
The East Aurora girls would have been top 13 or so- based on speed ratings.
I have consistent girls teams where the top 7 all run under 22:00 and we seldom win our sectional meet.
I know 22:00 isn't earth shattering, but it's competitive, especially on the hilly courses we run.
But, like I said earlier, any 1/2 way decent Texas football team would make a mockery of even the NY State Champs.
Why?
Its really simple.
(1) Great coaching
(2) An area that loves running. the master runners in this area are tough too.
runn wrote:
I know all that, but still- if you stick my boy's speed ratings into the NXN race we would finish about 15th- we didn't even win our class at states and didn't make the Federation meet even after some schools dropped out to concentrate on the regionals.
The East Aurora girls would have been top 13 or so- based on speed ratings.
I have consistent girls teams where the top 7 all run under 22:00 and we seldom win our sectional meet.
I know 22:00 isn't earth shattering, but it's competitive, especially on the hilly courses we run.
But, like I said earlier, any 1/2 way decent Texas football team would make a mockery of even the NY State Champs.
Why?
Sticking raw speed ratings into NXN doesn't have as much meaning as you're assigning them. Other than the FM girls, no team ran that close to their pre-race ratings.
As to the NY running advantages, having 7th and 8th graders train and race with older runners doesn't hurt, especially on the girl's side. If football and other "major" sports aren't as important to kids and families in NY, that would have a positive effect on cross country. As compared to CA "speedways" (as they have been described here), running slower, tougher courses in NY has to help when the end of the season arrives.
I know the speed rating aren't a race, but we use them kind of as a "scouting" tool and they seem to be close enough to draw some conclusions or least know who to look for as far as teams and even individuals on teams you're not familiar with.
The 7th and 8th grade thing is used a lot and really makes no sense.
Anyone can have their 7th and 8th graders train more. Then they would just dominate their JH/modified races.
When I bring up an 8th grader (never a 7th grader and never a boy) I train them at a much lower level than the upper classmen- about 1/2 to 2/3.
OK, I have never had an 8th grader compete with the best at states but I have had them score (top 5) for state ranked teams. That does not have an impact on how good they are as upper classmen. In fact, often those hard training, racing girls burn out and/or mature too much to pan out.
I guess I just wonder why certain states excel at certain sports.