Over the last couple of years I have attended a dozen or so good caliber high school track meets in California. What I've seen reminds me of my days as a soccer coach.
Déjà vu all over again.
Thanks to Title IV, the rising cost of a college education, and entrance requirements to top universities soccer mom’s all over the country groomed their kids (mostly girls) to compete for college slots.
Soccer Mom is now track-side and the two predominant parent profile are similar to club soccer parents.
1. Middle class family just looking for some tuition help and a decent education opportunity.
2. Upper middle class family that can afford 50K per year tuition but wants to give their kid an admission edge into the most exclusive colleges (you know which ones).
This is not meant to bash the parents or the athletes. After all not many families can afford full tuition at a good institution and it is difficult to compete with a 2300 SAT and 4.5 GPA whiz kid who also happens to be concert violinist for admittance to the Ivies.
Nonetheless, (as it happened with soccer) more athletes participating year round, more kids running youth track, and better competition should improve overall talent depth.
Whether this will be good to US distance running remains to be seen but the outlook seems positive.
Your thoughts LR?