Crab Colson wrote:
Loudon Valley might have won because of Tinman Training, but they're score of 16 points is so impressive because there are way too many classifications in Virginia. Freakin 6! The talent is far too diluted and they should return to 3 size distinctions for High Schools like they did in all time until just a few years ago.
I don´t think this is correct at all. School size makes all the difference in the world! You want to put a current 3A (approx. 1200 students) in the same classification as a single A school (250 students). That´s awfully unfair! Then, you want to put 4A schools with 6A schools? Sheez.
I coach at a small Virginia school & when your team has 20 kids TOTAL (boys & girls), your team makes or breaks with one kid deciding to play a travel league sport instead of playing a high school sport.
Going to invitationals with your small team is always a tough day. With no classifications, you know what´s going to happen before it ever begins. And, the school is paying good money to send your team to these invitationals too.
I often wonder how good a coach would be (And, no, I´m NOT speaking of the Hunters. Much respect to what they´re doing in Loudoun County.) if they went from 100+ kids on the team down to 15-20 runners total. It´s a tough gig.
Want to know what else most small schools have in common? POVERTY. I have kids, during track season, share spikes! A kid wears them for the 1600, hands them off to their 800 friend, who gives them back for the 3200! Oh yeah, small school runners double at all track meets too!
Speaking of poverty, we all know the increase caloric intake needed to be a good runner. Yikes! We NEVER stop for food after races. And, when a kid can afford to buy a shirt at a meet, it is nearly a Christmas gift!
So, before you want things to go back ¨to the good old days¨, please realize this is only running & things are much more complex than stopwatch times.