We merged two threads into 1 and have locked the thread to new posts. Its' obviously a newsworthy event so we let people talk about it but don't feel it serves a purpose to have any more posts on the matter. Obviously people are very fired up about the DQ, the coach's entry decision and its impact on the two teenage runners.
Will Brunner (4A state XC champion last fall) is the top seed with a 4:13.80 that he ran by himself. It's a little disingenuous to assume Culpepper will win the 1600.
Technically, Brunner was less than 2 seconds ahead of his teammate, so I'm not sure he ran 4:13 by himself.
That said, I agree with the OP. Niwot and Rocco's parents sh*t the bed on this one. This was a golden opportunity to "do the right thing." Rocco would still have the 800 and 4x800. Maybe the 4x4? If it cost Niwot the team title, tough sh*t. Sometimes doing the right thing is more important.
Totally agree. This is so surprising because the right choice was so obvious, let Rocco suffer the natural consequences of his actions, but the adults in the room chose option B.
I presumed the coach entered him in the meet the next day so that the one meet suspension would be served at that meet, not at state. Niwot was already going to the meet, I don't think the Niwot coach did anything wrong here.
You’re missing the point unfortunately. The focus is on the coaches & AD. The kid did what he did, move on. But should be held accountable. He has two more years to run, he’s talented & will be fine. But should learn a lesson. The coaches & AD are adults and the games they are playing are unacceptable. You might be one of the coaches the way you’re acting. Trying to make excuses. Probably trying to dig out of your hole. Who knows.
If you think the described behavior would be tolerated in any other HS sport, you are mistaken. You’d be sent off the field or court and suspended for the next contest. Certainly any AD in Colorado knows this.
to underline a contradiction here, the argument goes that the other kid should be selfless as he's in the 800. he doesn't need 2 events, that's overkill. so that they can put rocco in 2 events -- the exact same ones. ok, whatever, then.
re "team points," this isn't swapping out the alternate for the 2nd leg on the 4x1, this is dropping someone off a state qualification they earned by themselves.
your XC team is out of the team progression slots at the area championship. and a senior is having a career day out just ahead of a soph who is better than him most weeks. whoever finishes first moves on. do you tell the senior to step aside, "you're the wrong one to make us look better next round or chase state?" no. senior goes. soph needs to show up money on the table. so if you can't even restrain yourself 1 minute after your heat to have your time get you to state, and confront the guy over whatever happened in the stands, consequences are consequences, and it's jacked up to either decide for the other kid or lean on him to give up events for the screwup.
last, i think the other kid should get to be selfish. he made state in 2 events. they are often close in order. he should get to pick which one gives way, if any. if he says he wants both -- his choice. if he wants the 800 even if that doesn't benefit top seed rocco getting the mile back -- his choice.
look, i get at some local qualifying level the coach gets to play favorites and chase the team title even in cynical ways. there you are the team coach. but as you progress the "team" shrinks to those who can advance, and i see you as becoming more akin to their personal coach.
re "seniority," akin to my XC example, lost in the shuffle here is the culpepper kid is a soph. he messed up. he still made state in an event. he has 2 more years to fix it before graduation. he would have more chances at the state mile. all the more reason consequences can be consequences. how many years does the other kid have left, that he just gave up 1/2 his state meet for?
re "seniority," akin to my XC example, lost in the shuffle here is the culpepper kid is a soph. he messed up. he still made state in an event. he has 2 more years to fix it before graduation. he would have more chances at the state mile. all the more reason consequences can be consequences. how many years does the other kid have left, that he just gave up 1/2 his state meet for?
The kid who got scratched is a junior, this meet is potentially his last meet college coach's will be able fo evaluate for scholarships and such. By the time senior spring rolls around alot of the scholarship money is already allocated.