Coaches this time of year will run their best athletes in multiple events for the maximum points. This past weekend Isaiah Bragg for Emmanuel Christian ran the 3200m relay and the three distance events of 800m, 1600m and 3200m. Isaiah won the 1,600m in 4:48.79 and the 800 in 2:08.03. He later won the 3,200 in 10:53.62. Lions coach Chris Lundquist was named the MBC coach of the year. Isaiah shared Athlete of the Year honors with Yellow Springs’ Mario Cosey, who won the 100 in 11.06 and 200 in 22.67. He also won the 400 relay in 45.33 and the 800 relay with a 1:34.36.

Later Bragg was quoted saying, “Everything I’ve been doing has led up to that race (at state).”

On rare occasions an excellent distance runner can win at least one state title while competing in multiple events. More often then not, athletes scoring a few points in multiple events only take away from their individual goal of a state title.

If a school has an honest chance of winning or placing high at state as a team I have no problem with kids in multiple events. Bragg luckily did not have to work that hard to win four events at league.

I hope Bragg gets his individual state title.

What's your question then? Is it whether he should run multiple events at state?

I think the coaches have to ask him what he wants to do. He deserves to choose what he wants to do. How realistic is it for his team to win the state title? If it's realistic, he could do 1600 and 3200, but it would be silly to do all 3.

I was in a similar situation at Regionals last year. I doubled at Conference and Districts and Regionals. Our team finished 2nd at Regionals my junior year and I thought we had a shot at it if I doubled. We fell 3 points shy, but I'm still very proud of my Regional performances.

However, I think all that doubling caught up with me at state. For one, my legs were tired from racing so much. Secondly, since I was doubling in the 3rd toughest region (distance wise), I wasn't able to focus on the pace I would need to run in order to place well at state. I couldn't handle the pace at the state meet for some reason. I guess I just wasn't used to the pace because I had been running a slower pace by doubling.

givetallugot wrote: What's your question then? Is it whether he should run multiple events at state?

I think the coaches have to ask him what he wants to do. He deserves to choose what he wants to do. How realistic is it for his team to win the state title? If it's realistic, he could do 1600 and 3200, but it would be silly to do all 3.

I was in a similar situation at Regionals last year. I doubled at Conference and Districts and Regionals. Our team finished 2nd at Regionals my junior year and I thought we had a shot at it if I doubled. We fell 3 points shy, but I'm still very proud of my Regional performances.

However, I think all that doubling caught up with me at state. For one, my legs were tired from racing so much. Secondly, since I was doubling in the 3rd toughest region (distance wise), I wasn't able to focus on the pace I would need to run in order to place well at state. I couldn't handle the pace at the state meet for some reason. I guess I just wasn't used to the pace because I had been running a slower pace by doubling.

My question is one that I do not believe we will all agree on one answer.
I ask hoping this could be a fun conversation.

My friend 'tallugot you are an example of an athlete racing too hard (imo) at the regional. I saw how much you were hurting at regional in an event which you would not compete for a individual title at state. You scored points at the regional but may have cost you a state title in your specific event at state.

Whenever I start this conversation I remember Brad M. from Miami East back in my day. He only ran the 3200m three times (maybe four at conference?) his senior year. His coach allowed him to focus on his one specific event in the post season. He won a state title which is still one of the fastest times ever in the 3200m. Brad also holds the Dayton D2 regional record in the 3200m.

It is a tough balance as a coach. You want what is best for each individual athlete, but you also have to do what is best for your total team results. A conference championship may mean nothing but a training day to an elite level runner, but everything to the other 20+ guys on the team. Most really elite guys can go and destroy their league competition and not even reach a running rate that they would hit in a workout.

If it will take 5 extra points to win your league, and you have a potential state champ that can go low 9's in the 3200, would it really hurt him to go out and run a 10:20 and place 4th? Probably not. Guys that are running at this level are probably putting in some decent miles and it should not affect them very much 3 whole weeks later running at sub threshold pace.

If a coach is asking a kid to go out and WIN a 4x800, 1600, 800, 3200 in the same meet, then that is a different story.

I maybe should have posted this after seeing how many events Bragg runs at district.

decath wrote: It is a tough balance as a coach. You want what is best for each individual athlete, but you also have to do what is best for your total team results. A conference championship may mean nothing but a training day to an elite level runner, but everything to the other 20+ guys on the team. Most really elite guys can go and destroy their league competition and not even reach a running rate that they would hit in a workout.

Bragg probably had fun running all those events. Of course I don't know for sure but by looking at his times (1,600m in 4:48.79, 800 in 2:08.03 and 3200 in 10:53.62) that looks like a pretty decent workout which could take a week or so to totally recover. If he continues to run that many events come district it may negatively effect him for state. (IMO)