Middle School Coaches! Reminder to complete the entry process by Wednesday night if you have not done so already.
This year will be extra special as all races will be held at a national class venue! Thanks to the Hopkinton Runners Society, Rick Berryman (Lancer Timing) and Brooke Laskowsky, the NH Middle School State Championships will be held at the same site for the first time in 10 years, the Hopkinton Fairgrounds. This is a true cross country course (no pavement!) with history as they have hosted the very best in the NCAA via regional championships for D1, D2 and D3 the past several years. Matter of fact, we experienced how special this venue and organization truly is as they just completed their XC Festival this past weekend to rave reviews from athletes, coaches, and fans.
Hard to believe though, here we are again. A single league has once again scheduled their championships on the same weekend as the NH Middle School State Championships. Tri-County League organizers have again ignored the fact they are potentially denying kids within their league the opportunity to compete in the oldest middle school state championship in the nation. While every other league in NH held their championships last week, Tri-County continues to ignore the ground swell of support for kids to compete in the incredible NH Middle School State Championships.
Let’s review:
- For 50 years, thanks to Larry Martin and now others, the NH Middle School State Championships have taken place on the second to last Saturday of October to not interfere with the high school state championships which always are scheduled for the final Saturday of October.
- Last year, D1 and D2 meet was initially canceled due to conflict with Tri-County League Championships.
- We posted this article in response. This is the one and only ‘opinion’ article we have ever posted. We do not like kids being denied opportunities unnecessarily.
- Several small groups jumped in to fill the void with D1 and D2 Championships (albeit a smaller version) ultimately being held thanks to the fine folks and running community up at Hanover!
- This year, a group and venue large enough has taken on the awesome honor to host all state championship races and make it an unforgettable experience for all involved.
Not only have they taken this huge event and responsibility on, but they purposefully scheduled the D1/D2 races for Sunday anticipating the fact Tri-Country organizers would not move their date. So yes, the NH Middle School State Championships have now demonstrated flexibility to allow most of the Tri-County kids the opportunity to compete, albeit on back to back days. Coaches register your kids! You can do both. Obviously not the best solution, but at least the kids will have the experience and that is what middle school is supposed to be about.
Once again, the only solution to the changing calendar is by working backwards from the end of October. High school state meets are always the last Saturday of October, middle school state championships are always the week before that. MS league meets should be the week before that.
Tri-County organizers – please do not do this again. This does not reflect well on you all, but more importantly, kids are being denied the opportunity to compete for a state championship. Next year does have 5 Saturdays in October. Perhaps this will happen naturally then, but remember how this is received when the calendar year reverts to 4 Saturdays again in 2028.
With all that said, let’s celebrate the student-athletes who are all experiencing our great sport! And good luck to you all this weekend. Special thanks to the organizers of the State Championships!
Middle School Coaches! One last reminder to complete the entry process by Wednesday night if you have not done so already.
