When the original indoor bulletin was published, there was one set of automatic qualifying standards for the regional meet.
For the updated bulletin, there is a very tightened up set of standards, which are significantly more difficult to attain than the original marks published back in April.
For example, in 4A, the boys 55 standard went from 6.71 to 6.51; the girls 55 went from 7.44 to 7.25; the boys 500 went from 1:08.79 to 1:07.72; the girls 500 went from 1:20.69 to 1:19.61; the boys pole vault went from 10-06 to 12-06; and girls pole vault went from 8-00 to 10-00.
It seems the state is doing everything in its power this year to keep the meet as small as possible.
This leads to a larger questions: Is indoor track in Maryland in jeopardy.
Just a short time ago, in 2023, there were 24 qualifiers per event in each region. Now we are down to only 12 just three years later.
Additionally, there will only be twelve advancers to the state meet in each event.
This year, instead of eight scorers, there are only six scorers in each event at the state meet. The unofficial word is that people were not picking up their awards at the end of the meet. Now, there will be six scorers and six medals. Why six scorers though?
There still is no long or triple jump competition at the state meet, which is beyond asinine. It continues to get tabled every year.
Is the state waiting and hoping for PG to be demolished (once the deadskins move to VA, the purple line will run right through the long jump pit)?
The state considers indoor track to be a loss sport (what sport actually makes money?), so they are trying to minimize losses. If it is the case, publish the numbers. The state pays for at least 8 dates (they probably pay several dead days to reserve PG in case of snow).
On a given day for regionals, the state is probably paying:
-$8000 rental
-$2500 timer
-$3000 for officials
Let’s say $16,000 in total for ancillary costs. 16×8=$128,000.
If there are 500 spectators on average each day, that’s 4k. 128,000-32,000=$96,000
If there are 12 regions, 12 kids per event, and 13 total events, to cover the cost that would be $51 per entry to cover the cost of $96,000.
If it’s that much of a burden, there are ways to alleviate the cost. The state is limited in resources, and they have done great things (the 2022 state meet), but there are ways to ensure more access to the biggest winter sport. Reducing opportunities for kids is not a way to balance the budget.