Cross Country Advisory Committee

Minutes
Dec. 4, 2008 • 10 a.m.
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
Gainesville, Florida


I. The meeting was called to order at 10:02 a.m. by Justin Harrison. Mr. Harrison asked the members to introduce themselves. In attendance were members: Paul Nowicki, Bartram Trail High School; Scott Gowan, Chiles High School; Ron Norris, Buchholz High School; David Halliday, Flagler Palm Coast High School; Jason Means, Riverview High School (Sarasota); David Rittenour, Sickles High School; Frankie Ruiz, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School; Paul Baur, Westminster Academy; Gary Droze, FACA Representative (Maclay High School); Denarvise Thornton, FHSAA Associate Executive Director; Justin Harrison, FHSAA Associate Director of Athletics; Shanell Young, FHSAA Director of Athletics, and Colleen Healy, FHSAA Intern. Mr. Harrison thanked the members for attending and explained the purpose and the procedures of the Advisory Committee.

II. The Committee completed their travel vouchers.

III. The Committee selected David Halliday as the chairperson.

IV. The Committee adopted the minutes from the Nov. 27, 2007, Cross Country Advisory Committee Meeting.

V. The Committee reviewed the 2008 Cross Country State Meet. Mr. Harrison commended Cyle Sage, Kevin Campbell, and Chris Loth. Mr. Harrison also commended Ms. Shanell Young for her assistance with setting up the meet prior to his arrival on staff. The committee commended all involved as well. The committee was made aware that the contract for the Little Everglades Ranch had expired and the FHSAA is planning a meeting with them to discuss future options. The committee discussed a potential time change for the state meet. A wider finish lane marked with flags instead of cones was suggested. Having the course USATF certified was discussed. Making the starting line wider was also discussed.

VI. The committee decided to move the Review of the Cross Country Manual after the recommendations and correspondence since items in those areas dealt with the manual.

VII. 2008 Recommendations

a. Recommendation #1 – Jettison the “substitution penalty” sentence from Cross Country manual rule 205.05 (1) and (2)…”The substitute shall not be eligible for individual honors on any subsequent level of competition.”
i. Rationale: The rule restricts the freedom of coaches to employ basic strategy, puts ill or injured runners at risk, tempts coaches to game the system, is inconsistent with USATF/NCAA protocol, and unduly penalizes good faith athletes.
ii. 2008 CCAC Vote 9-0 [Motion- Ruiz, Second – Nowicki]

b. Recommendation #2 – Standardize individual awards throughout the state series. Currently All-District – 15; All-Region – 15, All-State – 10.
i. Rationale: Standardization
ii. Amended Recommendation – Standardize all individual awards to give the top 15 athletes at each state series level an award.
iii. 2008 CCAC Vote 9-0 [Motion – Droze, Second – Norris]

c. Recommendation #3 – Three teams on the podium at State Meet. Gold, Silver, Bronze.
i. Rationale: We are the 4th (soon to be 3rd largest state in the U. S. We have less classifications than many smaller states. We give out less awards (recognize less teams) than most states (percentage of competing teams).
ii. 2008 CCAC Vote 9-0 [Motion – Nowicki, Second – Means]

d. Recommendation #4 – Add one extra competition week or “weekend”.
i. Rationale:
1. Expand coaches choices on meet attendance
2. Less traditional meets going head to head (they are fundraisers)
3. Coaches can plan competition sequence to prepare athletes better
4. Less potential ACT-SAT conflicts
ii. Amended recommendation – Extend the competition period for cross country to the Friday of Week 10 (moving the start date up two days from Monday of Week 11).
iii. 2008 CCAC Vote 9-0 [Motion – Gowan, Second – Nowicki]

e. Recommendation #5 – Remove regulation 210.01 (3). “In the event of a tie for champion, co-champions shall be declared and no runner-up trophy shall be awarded.”
i. No action on this recommendation. The FHSAA follows the NFHS rule 9-2-4 for tiebreakers.
ii. The manual will be looked at to make this clearer.

f. Recommendation #6 – Consider having these advisory committee meetings available as a conference call or web call.
i. No action was taken as this is an administrative decision.
ii. Arrangements can be made if needed.

VIII. The committee reviewed the correspondence sent to the FHSAA Office.
a. Allowing/not allowing 6th-8th graders to compete
b. Shorten length of cross country season
c. Cross country state series and other sports’ state series
d. Extend length of cross country season
e. Private middle schools competing
f. Fee/penalty for not competing

IX. The committee reviewed the 2008 Cross Country Manual and suggested that 210.01 (3) could be written clearer.

X. Open Discussion
a. Ambulance on site at all “large” meets
b. District/regional dates on last possible day with no rain date

XI. The committee discussed that cross country does not fit into the category of a team sport nor an individual sport. Most of the 2008 recommendations reflect this point. The committee felt that cross country should be treated as a hybrid.

XII. Mr. Halliday adjourned the meeting at 12:57 p.m.