Manchester wrote:
they should have just DNSed and no one would notice.
Wrong.
Back about 25yrs ago I was at a small D1 program- also with a first year coach. We went to the first meet of the year and he had everyone jog the course on Friday afternoon. Not being a plush goulf course it had a few roots, rocks and tight spaces. A few too many in his opinion. Today people may call it a trail race. Because he didn't want anyone to get hurt we got back on the bus and rode the 2 or so hours home. On Monday morning he was answering to the AD who had been hammered by the AD of the host school.
I learned then if you commit to a race you had better field a team.
I bet the head guy and his distance assistant gets called onto the carpet.