Mick Byrne is 100% right.
I want Weldon to give this issue a black page.
USATF's entry system into USAs has been an arbitrary embarrassment for as long as I can remember.
They consistently don't give a **** about the non super elite athletes.
They started a 5000 final with 9 people in it? HOw is that good for anyone? It's not. It's horrible for fans, for coaches, for athletes, for universities, everyone involved in the sport. Ok I guess it's good for Lagat/Rupp as there is a 1% less chance they'll fall down??
Last year, they took 30 for 3 rounds of the 1500? There were 15 guys screwed out of ever being able to say they competed in the US Olympic Trials.
Here is the solution. You determine the field size you want and you run that many every single time. It's very simple other sports have it - it's called alternates.
In tennis, guys who get in from the qualifying tournament after someone withdraws are called 'lucky losers."
The athletes need USATF in WChamp/Olympic years. Next year, they don't need USATF. I think we should consider a protest/boycott until something changes.
-Rojo
Mick Byrne had plenty of Americans at Iona. He knew correctly that he wans't going to get high quality Americans to go there so he filled out of most of his team with foreigners.