Throws

[Zonco]

They should look at D6 and take some pointers, Good throwers are usually present in D6

[Jolly Green]

Zonco, when was the last time a D5 thrower went to states and only threw 110' in the discus? I've only been keeping track for the past 4 years, but Henderson last year, Hess (138' in 2004), Appleby (126' in 2003), and Crissey (136' in 2002) have all represented D5 pretty well. What's more, in 1997, Andy Sines from Meyersdale was the state champ (about 155' I believe). None of these guys have anything to be embarassed about.

[Zonco]

I'm pretty sure I remember seein a kid from northern bedford mabye at states just throwing horrendously but im not sure and yes D5 does have thier throwers but overall I dont know

[Jolly Green]

D6 has twice as many AA schools competing in track when compared with D5. Many of these are true AA (Bedford & CR sized) schools. Most of the D5 schools are A schools moved up to AA for track. It stands to reason (based on numbers alone) that D6 would have more people throwing well.

Experience has also shown that it is not a good idea to base someone's overall throwing ability on how they perform at the state championship meet. I've seen excellent throwers who looked horrible that day, and fouled all three throws. One of these is now throwing for Division II college team.

[Zonco]

Yea but when you get into the state competion with a horrible mark and the only reason you made it was becsaue you were in the top 2. Thats what im sayin is that they dont even come close to the qualifier they just slip in because thier confernece is horrible, I think they should quit taking the top two and just go by qualifying marks

[Lonewolf]

District 5 only takes the top 1 not 2. The only way 2 can qualify from D5 is if the second place athlete meets state qualifying.

[Jolly Green]

Exactly Lonewolf. District 5 only gets one automatic entry, again due to the relatively small number of participants when compared with other districts.

Zonco, if you are going to disparage D5 throwers, you need to come up with better information than what you stated. To refresh your memory, you said:

"I'm pretty sure I remember seein a kid from northern bedford mabye at states just throwing horrendously but im not sure"

You seem to have a "feeling" that D5 throwers don't measure up, but without any actual examples, it sounds like you are just throwing out insults.

[Head Roadie]

Well Zonco, the last Northern Bedford Discus thrower at states was in 1993 so you must have a heckuva memory. He threw 140' by the way, which while not state medalwinner material, is hardly horrendous either.

District 5 has not got two automatic state entries since 1982!! Where have you been?

And for the record, in a number of events last year, District 6 boys who qualified automatically as 2nd and 3rd place finishers in District 6 did not have the quality of performances that the District 5 #2 and #3 kids had, most of which stayed home, some of which qualified automatically via the SQS.

[jumper22]

Yes, D5 hs been looking better and better in track the last few years. My question for Head Roadie is if there is any chance of the PIAA following their own guidelines for determing state qualifying standards. While we will never be big enough for a second qualifier, many of our athletes get snubbed and dont get a chance when maybe they should. Your point about our 2nd and 3rd being better than D6's is the classic example. I know they are supposed to take the average 8th or 10th place finisher over the past so many years but they dont actually do that. I know Fisher probably wouldnt have fought too hard to do anything about that (unless you were giving him a lot of donuts) but i know you are more proactive and have a better chance to speak up and get your voice heard. Any thoughts, ideas, or comments?

[Zonco]

That is Bull, D6's 2nd and 3rd place throwers are better than D5's by leaps and bounds !