perspective wrote:
Head to head competition is best. That's why the regional system was created. Put the guys on the track together and have them race man to man. Competition is the essence of sport, not descending order lists, which are greatly influenced by weather factors. At regionals, everyone competes under the same conditions. Let the best man (or woman) win.
I agree, but with BOUNDARIES!!!!! If head to head is all there is to it, then why doesn't the 15:00 5k guy even get a shot at the top 64, or USAs, or Olympic Trials? After all, he could bust a nut and run 13:20 if only he was head to head with the right guys, right? WRONG!!!!
Head to head competition is the best - I totally agree, WITH THE APPROPRIATE FIELD. 64 is simply too many - the guys that belong in the race (top 10 college runners) will have no problem posting top 24 times over the course of the whole year - it won't be a time-trial conquest for the important parties involved.
And, if that means that all the 14:10-14:30 guys ARE chasing times all year - is that so bad!!!! I agree that NCAAs should prepare our athletes for what's to come next - but nothing will come next if all you're doing is running tactical races at 14:15-14:25!!!!! Oh, and guess what happens when you are good enough to run after NCAAs and you go to Europe? You train and run in races all summer that go out fast and you get pulled to great times, then you recover and get prepared for the tactical and slower championship races (Worlds, olympics, USAs, etc.) - sound like something familiar?
ONLY TOP 24 GET INVITED- SPREAD THE GOOD WORD!!!!!