The WV Cross Country Regional Competitions were held on October 24^th across the state. Region I had a rather cold but uneventful meet with runners performing well in both A-AA and AAA races. The athletes had great times despite the weather and course conditions.

However, every year it becomes harder and harder, as a coach of the sport, to accept the WV state qualification standards that have been in effect for several years. Last year I wrote a letter to WVSSAC stating my concerns about the system currently in place but a response was never returned.

The XC Coaches Committee worked to get team qualification methods changed for advancing teams to the state and were successful in doing that in 2012. Although there are still problems, that change became a positive one for the sport. Still, the sport has top ranked individuals “sitting the bench” while some athletes who are not even in the top 50% + of state ranked runners competing at the state level.

Anyone looking closely at Regional results across the state can see that there are problems in the current system. For example, the top 76 runners in Region I A-AA competition had faster times than the top 10 runners in Region III. I realize that the Regional courses have to be taken into account for differences in times but even allowing for that difference still leaves a number of kids, who should be competing, at home.

For many reasons I would like to see the best the state of WV has to offer competing at the state level. With our current qualifying methods this will not happen. While the Cross Country Coaches Committee can make proposals to change the problem, it all comes down to the WVSSAC making the change happen. Last year my concerns fell on deaf ears and I’m sure it was because I’m only one coach. It is going to take many of us voicing our concerns to see a change in the current system. If you feel the current system needs revamped, please contact the Cross Country Coaches Committee members and ask them to propose a change to the state cross country qualifying standards. If many coaches appeal for change, as a collective voice, perhaps the WVSSAC will listen.

Respectfully,

Glenda Cottrill

Head Coach Cross Country

Head Coach Girls Track

St. Marys High School