scrunners: What does it mean to the association to have the region JO meet in S.C.?
beesley: For starters, the S.C. athletes will not have to drive far to compete in it. It is also an opportunity to showcase our state to other associations. You always hope for the perfect weather and that you can make a little money on the meet as well.
scrunners: Do you expect to see more runners from the state compete?
beesley: Hard to say right now. With Nationals such a distance away it may turn some athletes away. Some may just go to Regionals and decide that is enough. I know that there will be the four main teams as past years. Each year we hope to see more older athletes but many have just come off of their high school cross country season. Many do not realize that you can run unattached and not have to be affiliated with a USATF club (USATF membership is required). The high school athletes do not have to run the association meet. We will grant them a pass through (by) to regionals so that they can rest their legs for a weekend. They just have to get the entry form in on time like all other athletes and ask for this by. Most do not know to ask for this. We hope word of mouth from other high school athletes who have competed is passed on. I also think that competing at nationals is a great experience for any age athlete and you should at least make the trip once in your athletic lifetime if you have the opportunity.
scrunners: Having regionals, do you see nationals returning in the future?
beesley: That would be great if it would. Myrtle Beach has put a bid in for this event and is attending the USATF National meeting to make their proposal. They are not the only bidders though so cross your fingers for them. We did bid on nationals a few years back and did not get the vote but it did stay in our region and was in Virginia. The bidding process is a lot of work. Hopefully their will be others in the future willing to tackle taking the bidding on and organizing the meet.
scrunners: What else is the association working on during this time of year?
beesley: Most officials are busy with cross country meets across the state. They are all sending in their replies for the indoor season to the different facilities looking for officials. I have started to do some work on the Junior Olympic Track & Field meet for 2010. We will be back in Myrtle Beach for this. Of course I have also organized most of the cross country meets for this year. Our Membership Chair, Cathy Koziel, is busy with sanctions for events that come in and will also be busy with memberships on Nov. 1. This is the date that all can purchase membership and it is good for the rest of 2009 and all of 2010.