What the heck happened to track and field? I ran in the Los Gatos all comers meets during its first year of 1979 and my generation would have left today's performers in the dust. I was running low 10's in the 100 yard dash and mid to high 23's in the 220 yard dash. Even converting from yards to meters wouldn't help the current bunch of runners. I think someone is falling down in the coaching department. Such a terrible shame.
#1-not everybody attends the Los Gatos all comers meets.
#2-There are way more sports now compared to 1979 that are available to students.
#3-Perhaps in the 70s more football coaches encouraged students to participate in track? Just a guess on my part here.
Others?
I think when you look at the top times compared to the 70s, they compare favorably but perhaps the depth might not be the same? This might be more the case in the hurdles and technique events.
I agree with the statement that sports have changed dramatically in the last 30 years. It has changed a lot in the last 10!
There are more sports, clubs and arts being offered at high schools now that dilute the talent pool. Also the coaching philosophy has also shifted in the in the 70's you would race often, once a week at least as duals were the focus. Now invitational races have become the focus with only about 3-4 key invitational races a season. Outside of Stanford, Arcadia and CCS Top 8 the best Central Coast runners don't race each other that often as they are often spit between 3-4 local meets.
But realistically the performances at the all-comers have not gone down because of high school athletes but because of the post collegiate teams. The Farm Team is now gone and many elites have agents, etc. telling them when and what to run. I remember Matt Gustio lapping the field running out in lane 3 for a 5k once running a tune-up. Not much of that going on any more though Vesse was out there a few times.
I haven't seen the 10k run in years but that might be fun for one of the meets. The fact is the All-Comers are the same they always have been. Its the culture of today's athlete that is different.
So who is to blame? I say bosses you make you stay late, crying babies, video games and club soccer!
4 comments:
What the heck happened to track and field? I ran in the Los Gatos all comers meets during its first year of 1979 and my generation would have left today's performers in the dust. I was running low 10's in the 100 yard dash and mid to high 23's in the 220 yard dash. Even converting from yards to meters wouldn't help the current bunch of runners. I think someone is falling down in the coaching department. Such a terrible shame.
Couple of reasons.
#1-not everybody attends the Los Gatos all comers meets.
#2-There are way more sports now compared to 1979 that are available to students.
#3-Perhaps in the 70s more football coaches encouraged students to participate in track? Just a guess on my part here.
Others?
I think when you look at the top times compared to the 70s, they compare favorably but perhaps the depth might not be the same? This might be more the case in the hurdles and technique events.
If someone is falling down then maybe it's time to help pick them up...
I agree with the statement that sports have changed dramatically in the last 30 years. It has changed a lot in the last 10!
There are more sports, clubs and arts being offered at high schools now that dilute the talent pool. Also the coaching philosophy has also shifted in the in the 70's you would race often, once a week at least as duals were the focus. Now invitational races have become the focus with only about 3-4 key invitational races a season. Outside of Stanford, Arcadia and CCS Top 8 the best Central Coast runners don't race each other that often as they are often spit between 3-4 local meets.
But realistically the performances at the all-comers have not gone down because of high school athletes but because of the post collegiate teams. The Farm Team is now gone and many elites have agents, etc. telling them when and what to run. I remember Matt Gustio lapping the field running out in lane 3 for a 5k once running a tune-up. Not much of that going on any more though Vesse was out there a few times.
I haven't seen the 10k run in years but that might be fun for one of the meets. The fact is the All-Comers are the same they always have been. Its the culture of today's athlete that is different.
So who is to blame? I say bosses you make you stay late, crying babies, video games and club soccer!
Post a Comment