"Location is determined for the next two years," were the words CHSAA Commissioner Paul Angelico used to open the cross country committee meeting today at the CHSAA headquarters, thus effectively putting an end to any further discussion of the current location of the state meet.
For 2014 and 2015, CHSAA is committed to hosting the state cross country meet at the same Norris Penrose Event Center/Bear Creek Regional Park facility that has hosted it the last two years. One change to the facility that was discussed as a possibility for next year was changing the outgoing route to go across the new bridge instead of through the creek. In all likelihood, the return route would likely remain through the creek.
As the representative of the Colorado High School Coaches Association, Ron Shepherd brought the following concerns to the committee meeting from the coaches:
1. a request that CHSAA look into a using a Colorado timing company for the meet,
2. a request that a committee, at least partly composed of coaches, be created to develop a list of parameters for future state meet course,
3. a suggestion to require certified officials for all sanctioned meets, and
4. the narrowness of the course and the creek crossing in the first quarter mile of the NPEC/BCRP course.
The role of the CHSCA at the CHSAA cross country and track and field committee meetings is strictly advisory, so no specific action was taken on any of the concerns forwarded from the association.
There was a brief period of animated discussion about the timing from this year's state meet, but committee chair Dave Hogan reminded those in attendance that selection of a timing company is under the purview of CHSAA and not the cross country committee.
Brett Shanklin presented a proposal to run seven and score five in the 3A classification. The same proposal was made last year and sent back to Shanklin for more work. One piece of new information that Shanklin brought forth this year was that, across the entire nation, there is only one classification (Class B in Nebraska) that is of comparable size to Colorado's 3A that reduces the team and scoring configuration below 7/5 as Colorado does. This year, armed with this new information and greater familiarity, Shanklin's proposal passed committee approval and will be forwarded to the CHSAA Legislative Council for adoption in January.
Ron Shepherd added a proposal to run six and score four in 2A, but concerns were raised. For now, the recommendation forwarded to the Legislative Council on this one will be to run six and still score three. All parties seemed to agree that finding ways to increase participation in 2A is a postive thing, but small steps might be in order at this point.
Three proposals were received for a state meet venue for 2016 and 2017. Those three proposals came from the Greeley Public Schools (a site at Island Grove Regional Park/Greeley Independence Stampede grounds), from the St. Vrain Valley Schools (the site currently in use for the St. Vrain Invitational in Lyons), and from the Jefferson County Public Schools (a new course under development on the grounds of D'Evelyn High School and adjacent designated open space).
All three proposing parties were reticent to forward a proposal to be considered as a permanent state meet site, but each desired to be included as part of a rotation of state meet sites.