It would have been interesting to see whether this year's top runners would have been interested in attending before this decision was made. It seems like the decisions of past runners were the basis for foreclosing opportunities for this year's athletes.
Last year we sent a girl on the team. The only reason she got to go was because others on the list before her declined. She had an awesome experience and represented the state well. She took the opportunity to represent her state very seriously. I wish the PTFCA would have continued to go to the Mid-East and take those who would say yes because it was a good opportunity for those who may not get this chance again
I agree- the PTFCA should reconsider. This next layer of athletes are hungry for success. They want to succeed and with the committee
I totally agree. It would have been nice if they asked us Runners if we'd like to be an all-star cross country team to travel to Mid-East Regionals. I was really looking forward to it. I placed 3rd in the state. Why exactly are the PTFCA sponsering?
I just wanted to say that this decision is absolute crap and the PTFCA is shafting a lot of worthy athletes who would love the opportunity to compete in this meet. Even if a few of the top runners skip the meet to focus on training for Footlocker, many other kids who are still good runners would love the opportunity to run here.
"My aim is perfect, i'll maim ya,
period, like the remainder" - Wheezy
My name is sidthemuffinrunr and i approve this message.
My daughter represented Pa last year. She had a GREAT time! She chose this meet over footlockers only because her and her coach felt to stay in training till possibly end of November/beginning of December was too long. My daughter was ready for a break and to move on to indoor. Her expierence at mid-east was a very good one. She met other seniors from around the state that she only knew by name and has continued those friendships thru senior year and to today. I wish they would reconsider
Did the PTFCA actually ask the top finishers after the meet? Just curious-no trouble intended!
This is a total surprise. It sounds Plazsenski was up for it (#3) based on his post, Krystek's parents told me he was psyched for it if he got in the top 7 seniors (he finished 4th overall in aaa and 5th best time)...if NP and NA kids are still racing for Nike Nationals that's great but there's a lot of good seniors in PA to draw from! Don't all the states have the same issues concerning teams trying to stretch their seasons to NTN and Footlockers regionals?
If travel to Dayton area is the issue I'm sure you could've gotten a great team just based on western PA runners who have starred as individuals this season (Havko, Stauffer, Gregory, Krystek, Plazsenski, Spisak, Schrawder...throw in Beveridge and Hurston and Hull from midstate?) I heard great things from this meet and the bonding.
Did anyone from the PTFCA get similar news from the other states committees that discouraged them?
I guess I started this stream with my opening comment. One of the kids I coach had the 5th fastest time in the state this year and would have loved to have been selected. He's running Footlocker Regionals, but a highly competitive race 2 weeks before Footlocker would have been perfect. I noticed that Dennin and Lowry both ran well in Ohio and in Footlocker last year.
I know for a fact that Tarsnane was going to go to this meet.
OK. So PTFCA doesn't want to sponsor. Is anyone else allowed to sponsor? My daughter ran the race last year and was honored to be asked ,excited, and had a great experience. She keeps in touch with several of the runners who became her team mates that week-end even though they are all at different colleges this year. This race is a reward that the Seniors look forward to. It's a last hoorah after four years of giving up a lot for a sport we all love. What a disgrace to take this away from the Seniors. If an individual chooses to decline, then you move on down the list. PA has plenty of talent. Don't take the reward away from the kids!
Fight What? Are you serious? the meet is set up to run the best vs. the best. if we arent sending our best than why bother. after all, it is an ALL-STAR meet.
Plus, any runner who runs a post season race with the shortened indoor season is not thinking straight.
its still a fun thing. plus why does it matter if you miss a couple weeks of indoors?
I had the 4th fastest senior in the AA race and she was really looking forward to going, it was bummer for her
Dirtyrunner,
how about rest for one thing...? This year has a nice break built in for xc runners before indoor.
rest and recovery are the most overlooked and most important part of training. that being said, extending the season is fine as long as that rest period is incorporated somewhere.
D1hasbeen,
i agree that rest is needed but what of the kids that still have to go to footlocker, they still need to stay in racing shape and that race was set at the perfect time.