Class of '10 College Choices

[IfItIsToBe]

There are several WIAC distance programs where coaches can (and do) honor verbal commitments, telling runners that they WILL have a spot on the team if they decide to run there. These same programs are less likely to tell a senior that they aren't on the team this year if they don't have a good intrasquad race in August. They do pay a price for this type of "sappy, misplaced" loyalty where leadership or other qualities are less valuable than performance on a particular day, which translates into fewer conference titles and usually lower representation at nationals. The recruiting strength of these programs is different than that of LAX, whether it be the state meet location or the history of success. The other programs rely more on coaching philosophy and personality, which many freshmen don't value or evaluate.

The philosophy of constant competition within the team at LAX does cull the lazy older runners and makes sure that the team is mostly made up of the hungry runners (freshmen on up) who want to be there to run. The problem arises when a good veteran runner has a bad race or is sick at a time trial, and the coach can arbitrarily decide whether he needs to make an exception to a "rule" or risk having a weaker squad at the end of the year. This format can be somewhat stressful, still unpredictable, and wears on the runners sometimes. (I've even heard stories of runners jumping into the Mississippi after coming in 25th at the trial.) Bottom line is that the most important guy on the team at LAX is always the top runner in the last race. Not the captain(s), or guy who's made the team for four years, or the number three guy the last three years. It is very much a performance based program. It has the success to show for that, and the team characteristics/problems associated with that.

[AquinasCrossCountry9]

not to get a big argument going again..but i heard Will Krumbach from Central will also be coming to La Crosse