NTN open to everyone, here's our chance!!!

[daman]

http://www.dyestat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37778

[bhl917]

Teams who can compete: let your coaches know now and secure your spot.

Let's put 4 or 5 of the top teams in that thing and kick some ass.

[xctrack16]

Kinda expensive and unrealitic for teams to keep training three weeks after the state meet, and to pay for plane tickets, hotel rooms, and numerous other expenses for 7-10 guys. It doesn't seem like there is really any incentive to go all the way to Oregon just to show you're good so future IL teams will get to NTN. To the 3-5 teams in Illinois (hoping that the number 2 team goes to NTN's) state will have been the culmination of a great season and it seems pointless to try and attend this lower quality meet. Believe me, I would love to see more Illinois representation at the national level but I do not think this is a feasible way to accomplish that goal.

[wellabd]

It would be different if competitors' times in the open race could be translated into the "real" race and scored that way. But, really, there isn't much point to spending all that money just to prove a point.

[ehof]

Yeah, there are other races in state and closer that are not any less meaningless. If you really like the course and it means that much to you and maybe if you have friends running in the real race, that might be the only reason to go.

[jenuine13]

Hopefully though, if the #2 IL team runs in the open race, and does very well, it will open the eyes of the ranking committee as to how deep the state is. It may not do much the first year or two, but if Illinois can consistently perform well in the open race, they may be more likely to get a bid into the championship race. Right now, the ranking committee will probably not give IL two bids. The open race could be a chance to prove our depth.

[xctrack16]

Hopefully though, if the #2 IL team runs in the open race, and does very well, it will open the eyes of the ranking committee as to how deep the state is. It may not do much the first year or two, but if Illinois can consistently perform well in the open race, they may be more likely to get a bid into the championship race. Right now, the ranking committee will probably not give IL two bids. The open race could be a chance to prove our depth.

Totally agree that hypothetically, if any of Illinois' top 5 teams went to that race they could put up some very impressive statistics that would show Illinois' depth. However, I just don't see how any school or parents of students can justify paying hundreds of dollars to travel to an open race to prove a point well after the IL season has concluded. And for most athletes without FL Nats aspirations or for those who don't compete in such meets as the Midwest meet of champions, the period following the state cross meet is a time to recharge and start buildin back up for a good track season.

[daman]

Hopefully though, if the #2 IL team runs in the open race, and does very well, it will open the eyes of the ranking committee as to how deep the state is. It may not do much the first year or two, but if Illinois can consistently perform well in the open race, they may be more likely to get a bid into the championship race. Right now, the ranking committee will probably not give IL two bids. The open race could be a chance to prove our depth.You're right, if Illinois is going to count on NTN to pick a second team, forget it, we've already seen the last 2 years how much you can count on that.

And what's with some of the rest of you? It's a chance to see what it's all about and experience it. Reward yourselves for a good season and also an incentive for returning runners.

And if other states top teams go, then how is it a lower quality meet?

Ah, crap.....the teams who have the balls and want to go will go, the rest can sit home and spank the monkey....but don't bitch about it when we get screwed by the selectors next year.

[watchout]

You're right, if Illinois is going to count on NTN to pick a second team, forget it, we've already seen the last 2 years how much you can count on that.

And what's with some of the rest of you? It's a chance to see what it's all about and experience it. Reward yourselves for a good season and also an incentive for returning runners.

And if other states top teams go, then how is it a lower quality meet?

Ah, crap.....the teams who have the balls and want to go will go, the rest can sit home and spank the monkey....but don't bitch about it when we get screwed by the selectors next year.

QFE

Daman is right. Why not try to go? Get out of the snow for a few days, enjoy the 40-50 degree weather of the Pacific NW ... get out of town, have a great time, watch the NTN Championship meet first hand, go crazy when York surges down the backstretch against the supposed best of the rest of the nation, and then hit the course for yourself and prove to YOURSELF that you are as good as anyone out there. You could also go check out the Nike Campus and all that, too.

Even if you don't think that the opportunity to run on the course with some amazing competition is worth $2,500-$3,000 in fundraising (prices via Priceline.com for a hotel & flight for 4 adults and 4 children (under 18) ... prices range from $2,450-2,860 without including food and in-city transportation) ... maybe someone else on your team might.

Personally, I would think people would be jumping at this chance. It's not like these teams are going to be just scrub teams, most likely at least half of them will be NTN-ranked teams or NTN-bubble teams that just barely missed qualifying.

[Peter La Fleur]

You're right, if Illinois is going to count on NTN to pick a second team, forget it, we've already seen the last 2 years how much you can count on that.

And what's with some of the rest of you? It's a chance to see what it's all about and experience it. Reward yourselves for a good season and also an incentive for returning runners.

And if other states top teams go, then how is it a lower quality meet?

Ah, crap.....the teams who have the balls and want to go will go, the rest can sit home and spank the monkey....but don't bitch about it when we get screwed by the selectors next year.

The way we take the committee out the equation is to race the top region teams in a couple of meets. Culver, Portage. Also invite a few top teams to Palatine, Peoria, Red Devil.

Nequa is doing it. The rest have to step up. You beat them and Nike will be paying for your trip to Oregon.

You miss the bid and want to pay the money to make a statement, now there is a back-up plan. It is a great idea.

[DetroiterInIL]

Daman is right.

I've been staring at this one for a while; trying to figure out if I should be coming out of shock yet. :eek:

[ArthurBaptist]

Let teams decide if they don't wanna pay for the meet. Don't come on here and discourage the idea. They have parents and administrators for that. You should be behind these teams with enthusiasm to make their way out for a fun weekend. As for recharging after state, track is a looooong season. It won't affect anything to keep running afterwards. And if someone's worried about peaking for state vs nationals, they're dumb. You can hold a peak for more than a week. That's all I got

[watchout]

I've been staring at this one for a while; trying to figure out if I should be coming out of shock yet. :eek:

haha

it happens two or three times a year ... (argeeing with daman/he agreeing with me)

[DetroiterInIL]

That's it... my new signature. Can't resist.

[watchout]

That's it... my new signature. Can't resist.

haha I just saw that when I was reading your post on Royal! ahahahaha

[ehof]

Why not try to go?

money
time
distance

If those dont matter, then why didn't the top teams in the country just go somewhere for an open race to compete for a national championship before Nike started a meet?

[daman]

Daman is right. Again.Fixed :D

[borntorun15]

it would obviously be awesome to see palatine and sandburg if they dont make it in there and winning, but we could send 5 other teams down and really show NTN a little about depth.