Last year, the first under the new qualifying system, 45 "at-large" qualifiers placed in their respective events. Further, 15 of those qualifiers would not have qualified for the meet under the old system.

Here's the data for year two of what I believe was a two-year trial run. Again, it shows that the updated system (top 3 from each region, plus the next 4 best times) is far superior to the old system (top 4 from each region).

This year a total of 40 "at-large" qualifiers placed in their respective events. Of these, again 15 would not have qualified under the old system.

The following State Meet Placers would not have even gotten to compete under last year's qualifying system.

           Class A Girls
None

           Class AA Girls
200 M     4.  Kelsey Spang        Winfield
4x100 M   5.  Ritchie County

           Class AAA Girls
100 M     6.  Ashley White        Buckhannon-Upshur
200 M     6.  Brittany Carr       Jefferson
1600 M    4.  Ashley Teets        Preston

           Class A Boys
200 M     6.  Eric Rose           Pocahontas
110 HH    6.  Dylan Opyoke        Clay-Battelle

           Class AA Boys
800 M     5.  Alex Cole           Ravenswood
1600 M    6.  Ben Wise            Ravenswood
4x200 M   6.  Ravenswood

           Class AAA Boys
800 M     5.  Michael Archer      Parkersburg
800 M     6.  Chris Cole          University
3200 M    6.  Russell Mulley      Wheeling Park
4x100 M   6.  George Washington
4x400 M   5.  Hedgesville

As with last year, I think this makes the new qualifying system a resounding success. It allows more athletes to qualify from stronger regions and simply makes a better, more competitive State Meet. So, please contact your local representative on the Coaches' Committee and remind them to support continuing this updated advancement system.