Coach from Ohio wrote:
Also, who is really complaining about LV qualifying so many to this race? They are FOLLOWING THE RULES. I do agree with Old VHSL in that sense - do better!
If you want to be upset, be upset with the people who made the rules.
Fair play to the Hunters and LV, they are doing nothing wrong. And I don't think they are recruiting. Their time is spent focusing on the team they have, not on getting more studs to transfer.
However, I think the 6 divisions that VA has opens a nice discussion. What is the ideal model? Is there an ideal model? I want to take back what I said in my first post about LV qualifying 11 people in the 3200 being unfair. Coach Hunter has a point, qualifying by the time on your watch should be more important that qualifying based on where you place at a regional. A lot of great runners miss out because they were not top 2 or top 3 at a specific regional meet.
In Illinois it used to be 2 divisions. One was the most populated schools and the other was the schools in the middle of no-where with much lower populations. That way, the best kids from the suburbs compete against each other, but we don't count out all of the smaller schools in the state that lack the quality coaching and funds for their students to go to big meets. It gives everyone an opportunity. Illinois is now 3 divisions, which I'm not totally opposed to. But I do think that 2 was better. But then again, what works for Illinois may not work in every state.
As to the post about Elmhurst (York) above, it looks like LV is creating a similar dynasty of their own. It all starts with culture and getting the kids to buy-in to the program and dedication, which LV obviously has. Really looking forward to seeing how LV's THREE 4x1 mile relays do, that is totally insane to have 3 qualify for nationals.
Also, I could be wrong but wasn't affolder from illinois originally? I think he transferred to PA before settling in VA. We lost Zach Kinne to PA because of transfer this season. He would have contended for the state title this year in IL.