The depth is just as good, if not, better now. Look at any WSC-Silver stuff... the teams are loaded and if you place well in that conference, you're geared toward winning state in the 3A division.
The depth is just as good, if not, better now. Look at any WSC-Silver stuff... the teams are loaded and if you place well in that conference, you're geared toward winning state in the 3A division.
Flying By My Nuts wrote:
Pappy wrote:I'd say for Illinois that the 70's guys that sucked have something to say about that. However being an 80's runner I must say that there is a much better field now.
In the 70's there was only one race at Detweiler. How many classes are there now? There's no way the depth now compares with the depth in the 70's.
If you compared old Western Suburban League times (York, Lyons, R-B, Oak Park, Proviso West, others) from the 70's to now, those 70's teams were absolutely loaded.
We were in a different league but occasionally crossed paths with the West Suburban League schools. We had a 4 X mile relay in 1975 where we got smoked right from the start and finished fifth. At the end of the year, our fifth place time was the 13th fastest in the country that year.
There are 3 Classes now. So 6 races. Class A is still not very competitive just because the schools do not have the numbers. Some of their individuals have been superb though. I'd say Class AA times compare to the races of the 70's and 80's time wise for the top 25. Class AAA has been faster in general for maybe 5-10 years. The All State cut-off is about 10 seconds faster now than in the 70's and 80's. Going by times the depth is better now.
The Western Suburban league or whatever that conference is now is still probably the best conference in the nation. We would see them at the sectional meet were 8-10 of the top ranked teams would be there. Anymore though they are not as dominant as they were because many more teams are running faster.
The 4 x mile is hardly run so it's hard to compare, hardly anyone runs the 5k in track either. Neuqua Valley has done the 4x1mile a few times lately. There was a Utah team that averaged 4:10 this spring and set the national record.