Congrats Wilson Georges

[Redbird CC Fan]

Limestone's Georges won the 1600 m State title in a PR of 4:08.58 smashing the 2A championship record by almost 5 seconds. Was also the fastest 1600 m time of the meet across all classes.

[crkamm]

Congratulations Wilson. Knew what event he wanted and went all in.

Told me at Sectionals he was only running 2 events because he wanted that 1600 record. Could have easily added Sectional wins in the 8, 32 & another relay. But running those at Sectionals, knowing he wouldn't run them at State would have meant taking a berth away from someone else.

[Redbird CC Fan]

Congratulations Wilson. Knew what event he wanted and went all in.

Told me at Sectionals he was only running 2 events because he wanted that 1600 record. Could have easily added Sectional wins in the 8, 32 & another relay. But running those at Sectionals, knowing he wouldn't run them at State would have meant taking a berth away from someone else.

I've always felt if one of the top 2 in a sectional doesn't compete that event at state, then the third place finisher should be allowed in.

[crkamm]

Congratulations Wilson. Knew what event he wanted and went all in.

Told me at Sectionals he was only running 2 events because he wanted that 1600 record. Could have easily added Sectional wins in the 8, 32 & another relay. But running those at Sectionals, knowing he wouldn't run them at State, would have meant taking a berth away from someone else.

I've always felt if one of the top 2 in a sectional doesn't compete that event at state, then the third place finisher should be allowed in.

Unfortunately, that would be a logistical nightmare, unless it is done immediately at the Sectional Meet. Especially with coaches playing will he/won't he games right up to the last minute.

Opinion:
State Meet withdrawals should be mandated to fall under one of the two following categories:
1. Medical withdrawal that must be cleared through an IHSA employed physician only. In this case, the athlete is allowed to keep any results achieved to that point.
2. All other withdrawals shall result in the complete forfeiture of all results achieved during that year's entire meet. Yes, that means retroactively erasing all results from the preliminary days also.

If they can pass a rules mandating entrants must show up and compete on Finals day or forfeit any place earned, (which they did years ago) they can pass this one. Also, there should be a way to, immediately, decline a slot that lets the next man up from Sectionals go to State.

[Redbird CC Fan]

Congratulations Wilson. Knew what event he wanted and went all in.

Told me at Sectionals he was only running 2 events because he wanted that 1600 record. Could have easily added Sectional wins in the 8, 32 & another relay. But running those at Sectionals, knowing he wouldn't run them at State, would have meant taking a berth away from someone else.

I've always felt if one of the top 2 in a sectional doesn't compete that event at state, then the third place finisher should be allowed in.

Unfortunately, that would be a logistical nightmare, unless it is done immediately at the Sectional Meet. Especially with coaches playing will he/won't he games right up to the last minute.

Opinion:
State Meet withdrawals should be mandated to fall under one of the two following categories:
1. Medical withdrawal that must be cleared through an IHSA employed physician only. In this case, the athlete is allowed to keep any results achieved to that point.
2. All other withdrawals shall result in the complete forfeiture of all results achieved during that year's entire meet. Yes, that means retroactively erasing all results from the preliminary days also.

If they can pass a rules mandating entrants must show up and compete on Finals day or forfeit any place earned, (which they did years ago) they can pass this one. Also, there should be a way to, immediately, decline a slot that lets the next man up from Sectionals go to State.

Have until the Monday week of state to withdraw for the 3rd place athlete. One thing about making participation mandatory, you would likely have athletes just tanking an event like running a 12 minute 3200 m with a 10:00 seed or similar.

[crkamm]

True enough about "tanking" an event. But there really is no 100% answer for that. It all comes down to how much each athlete wants to honor the spirit of the sport. You can't legislate good character.

2. You can set any deadline you want, it still won't solve the problem. Take this year for an example. A kid qualified in 3 events. He runs the prelims for the 1st 2 (his specialties). He has the top time in one of them and fails to advance in the 2nd. He then withdraws from the 3rd to "concentrate on winning" the 1st. Direct quote from his coach. I checked, no #3 runner from Sectionals advanced to State. That decision was not conveyed to the Officials until they called the 3rd event to the tent.

[Redbird CC Fan]

True enough about "tanking" an event. But there really is no 100% answer for that. It all comes down to how much each athlete wants to honor the spirit of the sport. You can't legislate good character.

2. You can set any deadline you want, it still won't solve the problem. Take this year for an example. A kid qualified in 3 events. He runs the prelims for the 1st 2 (his specialties). He has the top time in one of them and fails to advance in the 2nd. He then withdraws from the 3rd to "concentrate on winning" the 1st. Direct quote from his coach. I checked, no #3 runner from Sectionals advanced to State. That decision was not conveyed to the Officials until they called the 3rd event to the tent.

I think the combo of scratch after sectional by EOD Monday and forfeit all events without an injury is the best combo you could do.

Most of the times I have seen it was with distance runners when there was never any intent to run more than 1 event at State but some events were backups in case of trip, lost shoe, etc.