To Whom It May Concern:
Chasing the Standard would like to petition the MPSSAA to add triple jump and long jump to the indoor state championship meet for all classifications, effective for the 2022-2023 indoor track and field season.
The current challenge is that for several sites for the regional championships, there are no runways available for triple and long jump. No competition area is available to determine the top 4 individuals who advance.
However, the answer to the problem is very practical. Using the descending order list from each classification, take the top X number of competitors from that list and they advance to the state championship meet. For example, set a deadline of January 30th for being able to achieve a mark. Then take the top 16 (or whatever) competitors from the classification to the state championship. Or take the top 4 from each region and the next best 4 jumpers. All jumpers must declare by Feb 2nd and this counts as an event at the regional meet. Any jumper who does not declare opens a spot for number 17, 18, etc…
Since we are removing an athlete from the regional meet, and since there is a descending order list, we could still score 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, even if some of those athletes are not advancing to the state championship…but that can be decided later.
It’s understandable to not have long jump or triple jump at the state meet because some facilities may not have pits or some schools do not have as many opportunities throughout the season for competitions. Unfortunately, this thought process is misguided. This is lowering the standard: because some athletes don’t have the opportunity, no one should have the opportunity.
It also may be argued this sets a bad precedent for the future of regional meets because…why not do this for every event. The slippery slope is non sequitur; it is understood this is a facility issue.
Many athletes have opportunities to get horizontal jump marks during the season. Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County have league meets at PG. There are several invitationals during the indoor season to get marks-who knows what meets will exist this coming indoor season, but a non exhaustive list of meets from the past are: HOCO, MOCO, Frostbite, FIT, SMAC, AACPS Invite, and Ed Bowie. While it is true that some athletes may not be able to compete at those meets to get a mark, we are denying athletes individual state championships, competition experience, and potentially college opportunities.
Allowing for the long and triple jump competitions at the state meet allows for more athletes to compete, more athletes to win state championships, and more athletes can add to their athletic resume in pursuit of collegiate opportunities.
Chasing The Standard asks that the MPSSAA take this into consideration.
Best Regards,
Louis
louisfoudos@gmail.com