Why is the entirety of the CIF-SS Finals run in a parking lot before finishing on a track. What a joke. And then these same people wonder why nobody takes their performances seriously.
I can't believe they couldn't find a park or golf course somewhere to run this race. This literally is a road race, not cross country. No shade to the runners, they didn't pick the course, but with no hills or uneven terrain you can't legitimize this as a cross country race on any level.
Come on Southern Section, get it together!
What does it really matter though? This race was to decide who from SS goes to the state meet…there’s no need to compare it to what anyone would consider a “real” XC course. it’s not like these kids have only ever raced on flat road courses. Hell, most of them raced on the normal Mt. Sac course just a few weeks before.
Im just an enthusiastic dad and fan of the sport, so I won’t pretend to know what the logistics might be for putting on an event like this, and while it might not be my first choice for a great XC course, it’s has lots of good things going for it: picturesque and central location, accommodates lots of athletes and spectators, new facilities, and (in most years) a challenging course with lots of history.
In summary, yes our XC is a joke. It's more like XC "light". Yes plenty of competition but most of the courses that are run throughout the year aren't challenging compared to those run in the rest of the country.
While I prefer the hilly and wooded east coast courses, I like the idea of some pancake road courses existing. The more variety the better IMO, and more variety would obviously include flat pavement courses. Odd to have an extreme outlier of a course as a championship level course, but thats part of what makes the sport interesting.
Conversely, I don't recall if it was the NCAA D-II or D-III championships this year, but it was run during a snow storm. It was ridiculous to see the runners practically walking and tip-toeing through the snow. Wasn't even a race.
It was kind of awesome, actually. And they weren't walking - well, maybe the native Californians were.
While I prefer the hilly and wooded east coast courses, I like the idea of some pancake road courses existing. The more variety the better IMO, and more variety would obviously include flat pavement courses. Odd to have an extreme outlier of a course as a championship level course, but thats part of what makes the sport interesting.
Don't get me wrong, I love a flat and fast course. But to call what the Southern Section rain course is and the regular Mt SAC course the same sport is kind of a joke.
While I prefer the hilly and wooded east coast courses, I like the idea of some pancake road courses existing. The more variety the better IMO, and more variety would obviously include flat pavement courses. Odd to have an extreme outlier of a course as a championship level course, but thats part of what makes the sport interesting.
Don't get me wrong, I love a flat and fast course. But to call what the Southern Section rain course is and the regular Mt SAC course the same sport is kind of a joke.
In summary, yes our XC is a joke. It's more like XC "light". Yes plenty of competition but most of the courses that are run throughout the year aren't challenging compared to those run in the rest of the country.
XC has been trash without Broznan and Soles. At least Soles comes back and crushes them at Wodbridge each year. Covid is over, time to rebuild NY and CA xc to its former glory.
In summary, yes our XC is a joke. It's more like XC "light". Yes plenty of competition but most of the courses that are run throughout the year aren't challenging compared to those run in the rest of the country.
XC has been trash without Broznan and Soles. At least Soles comes back and crushes them at Wodbridge each year. Covid is over, time to rebuild NY and CA xc to its former glory.
And O’Brien.
No more Butler at Dana Hills either, but at least he’s still somewhere. San Clemente.
In summary, yes our XC is a joke. It's more like XC "light". Yes plenty of competition but most of the courses that are run throughout the year aren't challenging compared to those run in the rest of the country.
XC has been trash without Broznan and Soles. At least Soles comes back and crushes them at Wodbridge each year. Covid is over, time to rebuild NY and CA xc to its former glory.
It’s Brosnan if I recall, but I agree—once those coaches left, California distance running took a noticeable dive.
Don't get me wrong, I love a flat and fast course. But to call what the Southern Section rain course is and the regular Mt SAC course the same sport is kind of a joke.
Actually the regular course is a joke
I don't like Mt SAC and I never send my teams there but it's actually cross country more then the rain course.
The Mt. SAC rain course is used when rainfall causes the normal course to be dangerous. When you have over 100 runners slipping and sliding through mud, there is a risk of serious injury. Not worth it.
Conversely, I don't recall if it was the NCAA D-II or D-III championships this year, but it was run during a snow storm. It was ridiculous to see the runners practically walking and tip-toeing through the snow. Wasn't even a race.
That actually sounds like a great race. Cross country is a sport that should embrace challenging elements and different/unique courses - it's what the sport is about (as long as it's safe), not unlike F1 racing, golf, alpine ski, mountain biking etc etc.
You guys who don't live in the southwest won't get it. Heavy rain would make this course dangerous. The mud isn't like out east where it rains more frequently. It would be like running on a road covered with mud. Maybe it would fly for a college or adult meet but not hs.
I don't like Mt SAC and I never send my teams there but it's actually cross country more then the rain course.
Brosnan used to be the only one willing to protest when courses broke NFHS/CIF rules, like that ridiculous single file starting line at Mt Sac. I still remember him and a CIF official getting into it. I was literally standing at the table when he filed the protest, and the official was a complete as$hole to him. Credit to Brosnan, he stayed calm, laughed in the guy’s face, and still won the argument. Man, I miss having him in California. Nobody pushed the envelope like he did!
XC has been trash without Broznan and Soles. At least Soles comes back and crushes them at Wodbridge each year. Covid is over, time to rebuild NY and CA xc to its former glory.
And O’Brien.
No more Butler at Dana Hills either, but at least he’s still somewhere. San Clemente.
San Clemente is average and can never be a top team
Conversely, I don't recall if it was the NCAA D-II or D-III championships this year, but it was run during a snow storm. It was ridiculous to see the runners practically walking and tip-toeing through the snow. Wasn't even a race.
It was kind of awesome, actually. And they weren't walking - well, maybe the native Californians were.
Why is the entirety of the CIF-SS Finals run in a parking lot before finishing on a track. What a joke. And then these same people wonder why nobody takes their performances seriously.
Hey dum dum, this California championship is usually run on a very hilly dirt course. That could not happen this year because the course was damaged from heavy rains. The hills are made of clay there, so when they get wet, it’s impossible to run them, you just slip and slide in place and get nowhere.
There have actually been entire decades when the asphalt rain course never had to be used, so it’s unfortunate that it had to be used two weeks in a row this year.