Does anyone know why the Region III-AA Track Meet is now in Whitehouse instead of Palestine? Just curious.

I believe the same lady is in charge of running it off so it should be a good meet as usual!

It's probably better that they changed the location. I ran in Palestine and it was terrible!!

Hawkins23,

When did you run in the meet and why did you think it was terrible? Was it before or after they got the new track or are you referring to problems in the actual running off of the meet?

Palestine officials are appealing this decision... the now retired supt. was behind it and the new supt. and school board are NOT happy.

I started a poll on this same topic on another thread. I'm curious as to what coaches and athletes would like.

It is sad that the meet will not be in Palestine. Been going to Palestine since 1987 for this meet.

I do understand the move. Tyler is the regional site. Whitehouse has good facilities and will be a great place for this meet. More restaurants and more hotels to accomodate schools.

I'm talking about how they ran the meet. I ran the 400 and 200 and on the program it said i was going to have 45 minutes in between those events and it ended up being like 15. Also, one of our girls was running in the 100 and a girl from a different school in a different lane jumped in our girl's lane and she wasn't even disqulaified. She ran the whole 100m race and our girls lane! So to make it "fair" they made our girl run a 100 by herself without anybody else. Also, while running finals for the sprint relay, our last leg and Garrison's last leg was extremely close and Garrison ended up winning because their last leg stuck the baton in front of the line. So even though our girls chest was across the line first, they counted Garrison baton. It wasn't handled right at all. And i ran in Palestine last year.

I was at Palestine last year and the coach chose to have the girl run is what we were told after it was reviewed on the tape. Also the timing is FAT and has a photo finish of the finish line so I doubt that the relay was picked wrong.

The coach only had her run again becuase the time she ran (after being interferred with by the girl in the next lane running in front of her for 95 meters of the race) wouldn't have qualified her for finals and they would not place her in finals....SO what are you to do? She ran almost a second slower than she had run all year long..... and the race re-run by herself was one-onethousandth of a second too slow to qualify her for the finals. The race should have been stopped when the girl jumped into her lane at 5 meters out from the blocks but it wasn't. And I personally viewed the finish tape....and I wasn't convinced(the quality of the finish tape was poor, at best) and when I asked for an explanation I was told the decision was final. UIL requested a tape, I don't know if one was sent, but we were told it wouldn't do any good, the results would stand regardless of what they saw on the tape. Hey, things happen and you move on......I wish all of the 2AA participants good luck this year!

My only issue with Palestine was the runways... they are too short. Several of the top triple jumpers had to shorten their steps or stand off the end of the runway. I wasnt real pleased with that. I made sure they had a 40 ft board but, unfortunately didnt think to ask about runway length. Just goes to show that you cant assume. You can bet I wont be makin that mistake again.

Have previously coached at 4a/5a and really enjoyed the Humble regional (3a/5a) and Huntsville regional (1a/4a) format. Just think its more fun to see 2 different classification compete. This also helps ensure the athletes get the proper rest b/t events by preventing the meet from getting ahead of schedule. It does get a bit frustrating when those running the meet dont stick to the schedule at the meets that matter the most (i.e. district & regionals). I dont mind waitin in the stands at these meets... the kids have alot at stake and must be given the opportunity to perform at their best.

I remember that I was at that track meet. If it was not for your track coach who complained and got a petition she would have just been left out. I am glad we are not there this year!!!