Bronxville AD seeks clarity as departed star Mary Cain's eligibility comes into question

Why would anyone do anything other than help this girl in any way possible?

What point is there in throwing up road blocks?

Are you going to root against her in 2016?

worst poster wrote:

What about private hs's ? Should their students not be able to compete in big hs meets?

haha that's funny because there are very few private high schools that can keep up with large public schools, since they are so small. CBA is an exception, not the rule.

From the point of view of fairness, I think that special coaching is less of an issue in these cases than some other factors. For example, does the athlete have to attend classes the same number of hours as other students on her team (eg. around 7:30 AM-2:30 PM); does she practice in the same location and at the same time as her high school team (doesn't matter what she does afterward); does she compete in a reasonable number of high school meets during the season; and does she run the same or nearly the same number of times (assuming health) as the other varsity runners on her team?

What I'm starting to see happen in our state is the top runners seem to only be part of their high school team for the end-of-the-season championships meet. Sept. and Oct. they train somewhere else with a private coach; they don't run around the high school every afternoon, M-F like the rest of the kids. They suppposedly show up as much as they have to to meet the state regs, but who's gonna check if that really happens? Not only don't they race any duals or small conference meets (understandable, and I'm not saying they should), but they also don't run the big invitational meets with their hs team either. They either just train right through, or else they only run in open college meets until the state qualifiers, at which point they finally run with their high school team for the first time. Some private schools stars seem to arrange nifty special class schedules too, judging from blog and interview comments, whereby they show up to school at 10 or 11AM after an extra hour or two of sleep and a private training session. (Cory McGee used to run on the beach in the morning and then come to school later.) Meanwhile their peers had to haul their butts out of bed for the 7AM school bus and then had to sit on hard chairs for hours.

So, the regular high school star has to follow a normal high school class, practice, and meet schedule whether any of it meets their personal needs or not. They get worn out in Sept. and Oct. by racing low level meets where they're a 17:00 girl racing against 19:20 girls. Or in track, they have to run stupid 4x800 relays with teammates running 2:21, and they have to do workouts that are way too easy for them because that is what everyone else on their hs team has to do. But then at states, they run against the kid who had more time to dedicate to running, had a professional coach, who didn't have to race a bunch of stupid meets but rather could only do the ones that best suited her, etc. How is that fair?

If you want to run in the high school system, than you should train and race within that system.

this is all silly - if she goes to bronxville hs then she should be able to compete for bronxville hs. So there are hurt feelings that she has fired her hs coaches? WTF. WTFC.

As a poster wrote - why are we throwing up roadblocks to this girl? What's the point? Dumb rules.

This is easy. She can't compete in Bronxville meets or any New York Association meets but she can run non-sanctioned post season meets like NXN or FL unattached. They've also cleared everything with the NCAA to maintain her eligibility and amateur status. What more is there to discuss?

I don't think she should get a spot on the team. I just think she should be eligible for NXN or Footlocker as that is the only race she will probably run anyways. She won't be celebrating team championships and such, but I don't think she should be removed of a chance at the biggest high school accomplishment. She is a high school student. The argument of stay with the team or go pro is idiotic. This isn't basketball where going pro means millions. This is a kid who is on the verge of being a top tier pro, but she isn't yet. Their isn't any both ways. She is a high school student. If she qualifies for NXN or Fottlocker then she should be able to go. She is not affecting the team in any way by training with the best and qualifying individual for a H.S. meet. There are no spots being taken away, I don't get that analogy. Josh Mcdougal didn't go to a school and ran footlocker, i don't see the problem.

;lafsgjl;asdj wrote:

Runner 85: you're the wrong one. Bronxville High School has a girls team and a girls coach. Join, run, prosper. If that team or coach is not "good enough" for your daughter you can send her to one that is if you are willing to relocate.

Or you could go pro. It's happening in socccer now: kids have to join clubs that are outside the scholastic realm or stay with high school team.... not fair for the club kid to come in on game day and take a spot from the kid who was at high school team practice all week. Pick one or the other, DON'T TRY TO HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.

O.K. Looks like footlocker is fine to run. Doesn't seem to be a problem. Would have been a shame if she got banned from both.

The sad part is that by the time her father figures out the best situation for Mary she will be already a freshman in collge...only 20 months away.....

Some fabulous athletes always loved time spent with team mates and respected their coach...Mickey Mantle come to mind: he loved his team mates and never had a problem with a manager, but when the game was on he rose to a higher level than all his buddies. He didn't just show up for a few select games and sit it out when he desired. He needed his mates, spent his career having a ball with them.... Nothing better than winning a championship for your school or home town.....Most sports certainly allow both team and individual recognition...same for track and cross country.

Oh, so much BS. We wonder why US women's distance running sucks right now. Take the best athletes and give them the best chance. Sorry if it is not fair to those less talented.

SparkyHill wrote:

I wouldn't direct the attack at the AD. She is just responding to an inquiry from the state. She did not initiate anything. It is her job to ensure that the program is running cleanly. That is just as important as renting buses.

You are correct that it is a non story. The association and the AD are simply doing due diligence based on the scenario presented in the RT article. Just basic admin stuff. It's no reason for any public outcry.

I also agree that there is nothing wrong with girls training with boys. If you have two 4:30 milers, why can't they train together?

They can train together they can't race together. This is a non-issue. The state is a pain in the butt when they try to butt in.

weaksauce wrote:

ridiculous. let her compete with high schoolers and get the best training possible. this would be ideal, right? don't be a dick. stop crying and support US distance running.

Yes.

It's not like she is a boy from Kenya or anything

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this girl is more a middle-distance than distance runner, right? Is there a reason to think that she'd qualify for a national cross-country meet at 5k?

I'd say the question of her status is more important in track season. But Bronxville has a tremendous program, and had champion relays before she ever came on the scene; they'll have great relays without her now.

I guess I'm having trouble seeing any problems here...

Agreed

They (Cains) can't have it both ways. She (her dad) chose not to be trained by her HS coaches. In that decision they also chose the possibility of not participating on the HS team. I'm sure they thought they could be trained by a pro and compete in HS. Scary Smart people from Bronxville probably assume they can have everything their way.

There are no roadblocks in her way, only choices her parents are making for her and consequences. If she wants to be trained by Salazar go on and best of luck. The other alternative is HS.

FYI, I was at the Westchester County Champs yesterday; No sign of Cain, but the Bronxville girls still won easily.

Winning team consisted of 1 8th Grader, 1 Frosh, and 3 Juniors...

http://ny.milesplit.com/meets/122860/results/224856

As I understand it, D3 coaches could contact Mary Cain directly. I would not totally rule out Ms. Cain going D3, preposterous as it may seem to LR readers. D3 would probably offer Ms. Cain more opportunity to freelance in open events, and she might not be obligated to run in all school meets. There are excellent coaches and facilities at this level, and coaches who will not abuse stars by overusing these athletes in meets to burnish their own resumes.

I expect Mary Cain and her family to keep an open mind on any and every opportunity. Mary Cain has the guts to take the road less traveled.

Beano wrote:

They (Cains) can't have it both ways. She (her dad) chose not to be trained by her HS coaches. In that decision they also chose the possibility of not participating on the HS team. I'm sure they thought they could be trained by a pro and compete in HS. Scary Smart people from Bronxville probably assume they can have everything their way.

There are no roadblocks in her way, only choices her parents are making for her and consequences. If she wants to be trained by Salazar go on and best of luck. The other alternative is HS.

I doubt they thought that. They probably just want her to have the option to be eligible for next year, if it doesn't work out with Salazar. She will probably run a bunch of quality open meets and then hopefully Footlocker. I doubt she even wants to run all of the H.S. meets. They are more of a nuisance except for NY states. She will develop nicely and probably win footlocker two years in a row.

I live in Bronxville and have seen this kid running around town for years. She has a tremendous work ethic and focus. I think running at juniors this summer, she was able to test herself against the best juniors in the world. She sees how strong the international runners are and probably has the determination and drive to want to win. Bronxville has a great tradition for women's running and the coaches do a great job creating good runners. However, there is a difference between coaching students to become good and coaching someone who can be world class. I think the Cain's are making the right choice for their daughter and wish them the best of luck. After setting the national record as a sophomore, how do you stay motivated to improve? Worst thing to happen to her would be to stay at the high school level and begin to stagnant. The big issue for her will be staying injury free.

Can you imagine a star basketball player only showing up for the games, not being with the team for practice? Coach and team would probably resent that.... the "get the kid ready for the NBA, don't hold him back" mentality of some posters here misses the point. Which is, you are free to go and find another coach but don't disrespect your former team and former coach by coming back whenever you please. Just go already.