Why do they all let the pace lag when they can all go to STATE? 2:12 at 800m. These guys are such idiots and their coaches for not telling them "hey if they pace is slow, you need to help keep it honest."
Why do they all let the pace lag when they can all go to STATE? 2:12 at 800m. These guys are such idiots and their coaches for not telling them "hey if they pace is slow, you need to help keep it honest."
Probably because the person who takes the pace to make it fast is likely the very person in jeopardy of fading when the kicking starts.
This doesn't necessarily hold true if the person taking the pace is vastly superior to all others. But if that is the case they would have no need to take it and might be saving something for a later race.
And notice by contrast that the boys 3200 runners did maintain a solid pace (2:13/4:30) and were rewarded with eight runners going through (last two by bettering the at large mark of 9:07.26). Special props to Daniel Appleford of NP who barely advanced from CIF SS D1 finals to finish first here in 8:58.85.
As for the 1600 runners as they say, "play stupid games win stupid prizes."
And notice by contrast that the boys 3200 runners did maintain a solid pace (2:13/4:30) and were rewarded with eight runners going through (last two by bettering the at large mark of 9:07.26). Special props to Daniel Appleford of NP who barely advanced from CIF SS D1 finals to finish first here in 8:58.85.
As for the 1600 runners as they say, "play stupid games win stupid prizes."
of the 6 boys that didn't qualify, 3 of them have prs slower than the state auto-qualifying time. 2 had run less than a second faster than the auto-q one single time during the season. and then the kid who actually took out the race the first lap, well, he was the biggest talent that didn't make it.
so realistically, 1 boy that shoulda qualified didn't end up making it.
Not surprising really. These kids do so much racing, most are long past peak by the time they race here.
The CIF Southern Section has always destroyed these kids with the rounds. They need to get those old timers out and revamp completely.
And those rounds include not only CIF Prelims, finals then Masters, but prior to CIF Prelims there's league prelims and finals. You have to have competed in one or more league dual meets to qualify for league prelims. With all these races many of these SS athletes will be vulnerable to athletes from other sections who were able to run well within themselves in qualifying.
And notice by contrast that the boys 3200 runners did maintain a solid pace (2:13/4:30) and were rewarded with eight runners going through (last two by bettering the at large mark of 9:07.26). Special props to Daniel Appleford of NP who barely advanced from CIF SS D1 finals to finish first here in 8:58.85.
As for the 1600 runners as they say, "play stupid games win stupid prizes."
I thought NP runners were burned out and D-O-N-E for the season.
They run too many races is baloney. It’s always been that way. It’s not something new. How many NP runners are going to State? How many will win a State Championship. It’s not about all these big shot meets at Mt. Sac etc. it’s about winning a State Title. That will never change. If the coaches and parents or athletes don’t like it, then run on your own. Don’t represent your school. Pretty boy coaches and athletes never make it far
Slowest in years, but not a great year for the southern section this year ( minus NP )
Looking at athletic.net, the 25th best time 1600m in the southern section was 4:16.34, which is better than nearly all years on record, but as you say remove all 4 NP guys and it is very light at the top compared to most years. The 25th best time in the 3200m in the section is 9:10.94, and that is the best I could find on record (though I didn't look exhaustively). But the same thing is true, take away the top 4 NP guys and the list goes from the best ever to ordinary. But the same could said for every year, take away 4 of the best times and list becomes less impressive.
They run too many races is baloney. It’s always been that way. It’s not something new. How many NP runners are going to State? How many will win a State Championship. It’s not about all these big shot meets at Mt. Sac etc. it’s about winning a State Title. That will never change. If the coaches and parents or athletes don’t like it, then run on your own. Don’t represent your school. Pretty boy coaches and athletes never make it far
Coaches are getting smarter now and doing what's best for the athletes and not doing what some old-timer thinks is best. Saying "It’s always been that way" is a bad way to live or coach. Change is good in this case.
I agree with you though. Run on your own if you can. The kids running on their own are not the normal HS athlete and deserve and can do what they enjoy.
They run too many races is baloney. It’s always been that way. It’s not something new. How many NP runners are going to State? How many will win a State Championship. It’s not about all these big shot meets at Mt. Sac etc. it’s about winning a State Title. That will never change. If the coaches and parents or athletes don’t like it, then run on your own. Don’t represent your school. Pretty boy coaches and athletes never make it far
Years later, nobody cares how someone ran at the state meet (which 90%+ will be eliminated from along the way), all that matters is your best times. Look at the history of this site, when people are arguing "who is better", they use times, regardless of when in the season they ran it. For most athletes, especially the team oriented ones, the time to peak is county championships and league championships. In most scenarios, that's when the team needs you the most. For national level runners, it will be individual meets after any team events are finished,
Why do they all let the pace lag when they can all go to STATE? 2:12 at 800m. These guys are such idiots and their coaches for not telling them "hey if they pace is slow, you need to help keep it honest."
I agree. In California you can finish last in a section final and still advance to the state meet if you beat the at large time.
Perfect example is Dalia Frias. I don’t know why she was fifth in a slow tactical race for her. But she was faster than the at large time and will be at the state meet. She still has a chance to be state champ.
In my opinion, at the California section meets trying to run faster than the at large time is better than finishing out of each section automatic qualifiers. So no excuses for running tactical race in the 1600 or 3200.
Why do they all let the pace lag when they can all go to STATE? 2:12 at 800m. These guys are such idiots and their coaches for not telling them "hey if they pace is slow, you need to help keep it honest."
I agree. In California you can finish last in a section final and still advance to the state meet if you beat the at large time.
Perfect example is Dalia Frias. I don’t know why she was fifth in a slow tactical race for her. But she was faster than the at large time and will be at the state meet. She still has a chance to be state champ.
top 6 auto-qualify. only person in this race that is advancing due to hitting the at-large time is the 7th place finisher.