Most years, Long Reach senior Cameron Hindle would have a shot at taking down the 3A state meet record in the 3200. (Photo by Craig Amoss)
For many reasons, the 2021 outdoor track and field state championships - the first here in the state of Maryland since February 2020 - should be celebrated. Not two months ago, such an event seemed unlikely. An entire class of runners, jumpers and throwers might go the entire senior year without any opportunities to compete on the state level. Now, we are just three days away from that state championship.
However, the 2021 state meet will look different. To keep the meets short, only two athletes or relays in every event will advance from regionals to states, unlike the four (or more) that typically advance in a normal year. This system only highlights the already-existing imbalance between some of the regions throughout the state and, without the inclusion of automatic qualifying standards, means that the eight athletes on the line in each classifica...
