December Update from the Loucks Games
Coaches,
Happy Holidays from the Glenn D. Loucks Games.
Believe it or not, Loucks will soon be upon us. A couple of changes will happen.
First, the easy one. Our website address has changed. We're now located at: www.theloucksgames.org.
Second, do you know the Yogi Berra story about the restaurant that is so busy that no one goes there anymore? That's what I'm afraid will be happening to us at Loucks.
With the addition of the new facility and the level of competition, we're getting too big. In the past we have allowed some flexibility in terms of seeding, allowing coaches to enter athletes who they think on their best day could hit the qualifying standards. Judging from last year's results, that strategy has failed, as the trust was abused by too many. We had too many heats of runners who weren't close to the standards. I mean, NOT CLOSE AT ALL!
What I'm proposing
Mind you, this is just a proposal. But at the January Loucks Committee meeting, I will propose the following changes:
1. Limiting the size of the fields in the 800M, 1600M and 3200M.
Facts: Over the years the size of the three races has grown to the point that they are becoming unmanageable – too many heats of each. Here is a look at the entries for 2009. Event | Entries | Participants | 800 Meters - Men | 113 | 87 | 800 Meters - Women | 76 | 53 | 1600 Meters – Men | 149 | 118 | 1600 Meters - Women | 92 | 64 | 3200 Meters - Men | 63 | 50 | 3200 Meters - Women | 47 | 36 |
Proposal: Limit the number of participating athletes by setting a limit for each race. Proposed Race Limits: Event | Proposed Limit of Participants | 800 Meters – Men + Women | 60 each (63? see below) | 1600 Meters – Men + Women | 45 each (48? see below) | 3200 Meters - Men + Women | 30 each (33? see below) |
What this would mean in terms of heats: 800 Meters – 5 heats 1600 Meters – 3 heats
3200 Meters – 2 heats.
2. We would use actual times! No estimated times - you'll have to state the meet at which the athlete hit your time.
I'm proposing the use of
a) 2009-10 indoor times
b) outdoor 2010 times (no dual meets)
c) and of course, the results from the 2009 Loucks Games.
d) No estimated times will be accepted.
e) It wouldn't matter how many times one athlete beat another athlete, it's who has the better time.
3. I'm also proposing the creation of two early April Thursday evening meets - with the top 3 finishers automatically qualifying for Loucks. Thus, on April 8th we could have the 3200 and 800, while on April 15th we could have the 1600. Regardless of time, the top 3 finishers will qualify for Loucks, potentially adding 3 more starters to the field (if the race was slow enough to not have the top 3 make the cutoff, each would still quualify - adding up to 3 more in each race). If you have an athlete who has run 4:18, he probably doesn't have to be there - what would be the odds that 45 others will have beat his time. However, if you have an athlete running 4:34, you might want to consider having him there to possibly secure a position. Yes, if only 4 people showed up for the proposed meet, 3 of them would qualify.
REMEMBER: we don't post times or entries until the Tuesday prior to Loucks. We will make all conversions at the meeting.
4. At the seeding committee we will set up a list of order for the participants, with a "provisional starters" list to follow (that would start with the 61st 800M runner, the 46th 1600M runner and the 31st 3200M runner).
If anyone scratches from the races, the appropriate number of provisional starters would be able to move up.
5. All of that information will be available on the Tuesday, prior to Loucks.
6. To counteract the loss of opportunity for some runners, I'd propose allowing additional teams in the Tri-State Relays and DMR Relays, as well as the creation of a F/S 4 X 800.
7. But we have to do something.
What Do You Do?
1. As I said, these are proposals. At the January 19th meeting I will discuss them with the Loucks Committee. By the end of that week I will email everyone to let them know what has been decided.
2. In the meantime, in case my proposal is accepted, I strongly suggest that you have your athletes run the distances that might be limited. If my proposal goes through, they must have a time to qualify for Loucks.
That's it for now. As I said earlier, have a great holiday season. Good luck during the indoor season.
Comments are welcomed (jsingleton@wpcsd.k12.ny.us or 914.422.2314)
Sincerely,
Fred Singleton
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