For all you runner/joggers

[R Wilco]

I got back from Austin this afternoon where I had attended the State High School Track meet. I know there are some ex track guys here so I just have to brag to you guys. My nephew won the 5-A division 1600/mile with a 4:08.8. It is the fastest time in Texas this year and 2nd in the nation. Coming from and ex track guy, coach, fan etc whose best time ever was 4:26 it makes me feel slow but very proud. Luke Hansen of The Woodlands did us all proud.

[makaio]

THat's pretty dam fast! I would have to be on a bicylce to get anywhere near that time.

[bigbrotherjohn]

thats amazingly fast, congrats to you both

[H.G.P.]

Congrats...from a former quarter miler, mile relay, and miler.

[Halm]

Texas has a history of excellent high school milers and your nephew's time puts him up there with the best of them. Serious congratulations!!! With times like that I am sure he was heavily recruited, so where will he go to school next year?

[Les Paul]

The problem with college track is that they only get 12.5 scholarships for the mens teams. They have to divide that up between the Cross Country team and track team. So you have the sprinters, jumpers, throwers, then the distance guys, 40-50 guys sometimes. So he may be the best in Texas 2nd or 3rd best in America and still not get a great scholarship.

Blame it on title 9 or football. If football has 80 full rides which I think they do then they have to add more womens scholarships to equal the total # of mens sports scholarships. There used to be 22 full track scholarships in the up until the early 80's but not anymore. And they have all these obscure sports for women to equal the mens.

[Halm]

Title 9 is a whole different discussion. But there are enough schools with track scholarships available if the kid has not been run into the ground. Arizona State, Arkansas and Stanford to name a few still have money for distance runners. If R Wilco's nephew ran 4:08 on 40-45 mile per week then he has a lot of potential and he should have a nice offer. If he ran 60-70 miles per week, he may have peaked.

Just my opinion.

[Les Paul]

I think those schools you mentioned do some very creative financing. Not necessarily athletic scholarships but others that help these guys out.

[Halm]

I know the head coaches at 2 of these schools personally and I hope that by "creative" you are not suggesting that they cheat. The only way in today’s environment to be creative is either 1.) get a kid smart enough to qualify for an academic scholarship or 2.) take a partial athletic scholarship.