Coaches to Propose State Meet Changes: Three Classes, At-Large Teams Sought

The Minnesota High School Cross Country Coaches’ Association plans to submit proposals to the Minnesota State High School League for a three-class State Cross Country Championship and for selection of at-large team qualifiers to State, new Coaches’ Association president Dave Chatelaine tells Down the Backstretch.

The Association, through its advisory board to the MSHSL, already has a proposal submitted to the MSHSL which would allow the top ten individuals in each section not on a qualifying team to advance for State. Likewise, a proposal expanding medals to the top ten finishers at the State Meet is also in the hands of the League.

The Coaches Association met in late January to discuss these and other issues. (The minutes of the meeting can be found HERE.) Proposals offered by the Coaches Association advisory committee must be approved by the MSHSL Board in order for changes to be made.

The group's three-class proposal was to be submitted in 2008, but MSHSL rules require a minimum number of schools to sponsor a sport before a third class can be proposed. The MSHSL has sponsored a two-class meet since 1975. Prior to that – beginning in 1943 – all schools competed in a single class.

“Many of our coaches would like to see three classes for cross country,” Chatelaine, the coach at Owatonna High School, said. “Our past president Jon Wagner, coach at Eveleth High School, put together a proposal for the MSHSL. We were not able to submit it this past year because we are a few teams short of the 288 required by the MSHSL to consider expansion of the State Meet."

Chatelaine, however, expects the opening of new schools in Chanhassen and Woodbury in 2009 to raise the number of cross country-sponsoring school above the MSHSL’s threshold.

The Coaches Association is also developing a proposal that would allow at-large teams to qualify for the State Meet. The MSHSL’s current system of advancing two teams from each section to state has regularly left top-ranked teams on the sidelines of the season’s ultimate contest. Last year, #3 Edina did not advance from Section 6AA behind #1 Wayzata and #2 Eden Prairie.

“Our coaches are also interested in an at-large proposal that would help quality teams advance to the state meet from sections that have a number of state ranked teams,” Chatelaine said. “We would like to see all of the best teams in the state be able to compete together at the State Meet."

According to the minutes of the January meeting, coaches discussed the possibilities of additional at-large teams being chosen by committee or through an additional meet open to the 3rd and 4th-place teams from each section. Bill Miles of Wayzata High School is formulating proposals to be further discussed this summer.

Chatelaine, beginning a two-year term as president of the Association feels good about the health of the sport overall.

“I feel that the state of high school cross country running in Minnesota is very strong these days,” he said. “Our program here in Owatonna has seen a significant increase in the number of participants. I had my largest boys team ever this past season. I have noticed large numbers of competitors in the JV races at meet we compete in. Our section 1AA JV race had about 300 competitors! I think many parents are interested in getting their kids involved in a sport/activity that will improve their physical fitness and teach them good lifetime habits."

Chris Frye, the coach at Chatfield High School begins a two-year term as vice president and will then take over as president when Chatelaine’s term expires at the end of 2010.