First-year SCTCCCA president Eric Cummings explains Saturday's operation of the SCHSL State Meet and the association's involvement.
scrunners: What is the week of the state meet like for you as president and then as a coach?
cummings: The week of the state meet is not much different than that of a normal cross country week. My biggest job for the week is pre-printing the All-State certificates.
scrunners: What kind of preparation is done at the facility and around the state for the meet?
cummings: John Jones at Spring Valley does all the pre-meet set-up and tear down. He is the one that on race day, should get the majority of the credit. Without his assistance, this meet would never be able to run off the way it does. Ed Boehmke at Eastside does all the race packets and entries for the state meet.
scrunners: How would you rate the season as president and what do you feel you have learned?
cummings: This season has been a learning experience for me, but I was glad that as president, we were able to fix a mistake made by the Class AAAA principals/AD's with the qualifying procedures. Nessie Harris (HSL) and Mr. Tyler (AAAA president) were great at assisting with the oversight and making the changes needed.
scrunners: Do you have anything you would like to pass on to coaches, fans and athletes attending this weekend?
cummings: Remember this meet is about the athletes racing. Please be respectful of the grounds we are using and to stay off of the marked course to allow the runners the best chance to be as successful as possible.
scrunners: What kind of plans do you have for the offseason?
cummings: I will be coaching my oldest son's church basketball team and watching my middle son's team play as well. I will also be hanging out with my youngest son just having fun! We will attend the Jingle Bell Jog 5K in Sugar Creek with my oldest son, we will run the Eastside Turkey Trot with the entire family and heading to Disney after Christmas.
scrunners: Has the winter meeting for the association been set?
cummings: The winter meeting will be at the High School League Office on either January 15 or 22. We will announce once we confirm with the HSL office.
scrunners: What responsibilities will you have on race day?
cummings: I will do a uniform check of all runners at the starting line and will start all eight races. Riverside coach Heather Greene will do all of the scoring for the meet and I have two student assistants that will type the names of the All-State Runners on their certificates. I will also be at the finish line to assist with anything that needs to be done.
scrunners: How are responsibilities distributed throughout the state for the meet?
cummings: The HSL is in charge of the event and when we meet with them, they wanted us to continue doing what we have always done. John Jones and Spring Valley will do all course set-up, will have athletic trainers on site and will help with the finish line. Ed Boehmke and Eastside will do all the entries and packets, as well as working the end of the finish chute to collect numbers for the scoring. Heather Greene and Riverside will work as fillers and do all scoring for the meet.
scrunners: Can you explain the association's role with the high school league at the meet?
cummings: The association will actually be running off the championship meet (set-up, starting, finish, timing, scoring, printing, and tear down). We are working with the HSL to have the best high school championship in the state.
scrunners: What would you like to see happen Saturday?
cummings: I would like to see a huge crowd of supporters cheering on ALL of the runners. I would like to see fast times, close races, and the best sportsmanship possible.