I slept on it and came up with a better solution to the relay problem... Just take one qualifier from each league instead of two, and fill out the other lanes with a wildcard system like already exists in 6A. There's also already a precedent for handling relays differently than other events, with the auto-qualifiers being based on a different formula.

4A would get one extra qualifier based on fastest District Meet time, 5A would get three, and 6A would get two.

Dan

I've always hated the 3-turn stagger of the 4x400. It yields totally non-competitive lead-off legs in nearly every race. I know it would be tougher to manage the first exchange without it, but that's part of what makes the relay exciting! I would love to see it tried with a 1-turn stagger (800m cut-in on the first leg) or a waterfall start. The latter would solve the 2-heat final problem and make for a doubly entertaining race. But, it doesn't fit with the rule books, so it's probably too much to wish for.

They probably just need to bite the bullet and make the day session of day 2 longer with relay prelims. Perhaps give thought to moving the 3k to day 3 (day 2 for big schools) with the rest of the running event finals, following a traditional 1-day meet format. That would keep the days more in balance.

Dan

I gotta say agree with Dan about the two section finals in the relays.
I understand that it's an experiment and with this new three-day, six class format there probably isn't time for prelims in those events.

But the meet shouldn't drag on like that, especially what happened on Friday night at the end of the small-schools meet. A first section of four teams and a second section of five or six ... was ridiculous. The teams were so far spaced out that even the threadbare promise of competition was lost. And it was cold. And too long.

My two cents.

Fair point. It's been a while since Oregon girls have put up 3k times comparable to the low ten minute 2-miles of the elites. I need to get with the times.

Dan

dkap, on , said:

True, but any time approaching 9:30 in the girls 3k is going to be US Top-10/15 when you combine the 3k-2mile events. And it helps when meets like Arcadia and NBON get 3k splits en route to their longer distances.

DougB, on , said:

I'm on board with that! Thoroughly dominating performance, made all the more impressive by having some historically strong competition to beat out. And add in some great 4x400 running in what will be an overlooked performance due to the dropped baton.

Dan

Love seeing those top marks for Oregonians! Although, the 3k and Javelin always deserve asterisks (IMO) due to how few states have those events.

Dan

Results up on TFX!

At the moment, five new current US Top-10 marks!


G-3000 1 9:32.08 NEW! Clark, Erin (2013) (South Eugene, OR) Oregon 6A State Championships(OR), 2013-05-25(#1)
G-3000 6 9:37.22 NEW! Donaghu, Ella (2016) (Grant, OR) Oregon 6A State Championships(OR), 2013-05-25(#2)

G-HJ 1 6-01.00 NEW! Proteau, Rachel (2013) (West Albany, OR) Oregon 5A State Championships(OR), 2013-05-25(#1)

B-JT 5 206-00.00 NEW! Brosseau, Beau (2013) (Oregon City, OR) Oregon 6A State Championships(OR), 2013-05-25(#1)
B-JT 8 205-06.00 NEW! Ebukam, Samson (2013) (David Douglas, OR) Oregon 6A State Championships(OR), 2013-05-25(#2)

Photos from all three days have been posted
http://oregonstatech...os&event_id=118

That concludes the meet ... thanks for following along! Team trophy presentations and athlete of the meet (high point scorers) for each classification to follow, but that info will presumably be posted along with the results by the time it's known here.