1. Affects of the prom on the meet – There were many DNS during the meet due to people preparing for the prom or recovering from the prom. While I don't think there is anything that can be done from a scheduling viewpoint (MPSSAA plans these events 5 years out and I really don't think your school really cares if it conflicts with the state meet), it really is a tough decision for an athlete to make a choice. On Saturday, many athletes were coming from the prom right to the meet.
2. Morgan State – Concessions were nice, but the hour wait in line was exhausting. Lack of warmup area was a huge negative, especially after watching numerous collisions on the ramp. The Morgan State and MPSSAA police staff took their jobs way too seriously, don't sit on the walls, don't sit on the grass, don't do this, don't do that. People paid $8 to get in the place, at least let them watch the race. The tents in the stands were a poor decision. If your team didn't have a tent and you arrived early to get a nice spot in the stands, your view was quickly blocked by teams setting up their circus tents directly in front of you. Either provide a space for tents or keep them to the top row of the stands. The affect of the track on the distance races will wait for another article.
3. Freshman in the distance events - Parker, Centrowitz, Blakney, etc. The future looks good for MD distance.
4. The times for MD distance – Compare our best times with other state championship times. We rate with Alaska and North Dakota for comparable times. Check out the winning times for NJ the same weekend. Our winning times would't have even placed in the top 8 at that meet. The difference is that NJ allows their teams more flexibility in their racing schedules. They are given the opportunity to improve and run against better competition. I have had conversations with people from MPSSAA about ways to improve competition for MD and remain within the bylaws and also ways to make MD track if not profitable at least self supporting. They asked for a written proposal – it's a start.
5. I wish I had a kick like that - Lynch in that 800 – THAT WAS SICK!!!! I thought Kurt had a bull rush last year, but compared to Lynch – Kurt looked like he was standing still.
6. Two day regionals – must be mandatory. The reason for one day regionals in the North region is strictly financial. I don't care how they try to gloss it over – they don't want to pay for busses. It hurts the athletes- I know the runners at 4A2A3A North regions were still recovering from the 120+ degree track temperatures the previous weekend.
7. Comradery among teams. It really is touching to see how teams interact – root for each other – hang with each other and generally make track a community sport instead of a bloodlust. Our sport is probably the only sport (besides swimming) that is so close knit.
8. Whoop – Whoop- Whoop. No matter where you hear that your head always turns and is looking for someone to be walked down.
9. You shouldn't be eating chicken tenders or nachos and cheese 45 minutes before your race.
10. Pole Vault – Counties should set up regional training centers to teach this event correctly. Right now – only a few schools are set up to coach or even handle the event. Regional training centers will bring the counties best coaches together to properly train promising vaulters and give all schools an equal chance at developing athletes and scoring points. OR go back to making it a non-scoring event.