at least when it comes to the idea that there should be a sanctioned national championship for high school cross country runners and golfers.

Here are some thoughts from area coaches:
David Owles, Waubonsie Valley head boys golf coach:
A national championship would be a really cool experience for the players, but logistically I think it would be hard to do (for example, we crown 3 state champs - which one would go?).

And the financial resources it would take to conduct something like that could be better spent helping more high school kids, especially those less fortunate economically, to have access to the game.

After all, it's not cheap to play golf. Most other high school sports can be played by a kid regardless of their financial means as long as they have the skill and work ethic. That's not always the case with golf, which is a shame."

Getting back on topic, there are so many tournaments beyond just the high school season on a regional and national scale in golf with the IJGA, MAJGT, and AJGA that players have ample opportunities to play against outstanding competition and get exposure.

Plus, the ones who really want to compete on a national scale can do that in college or even professionally on one of the mini-tours if they have the work ethic and talent.

So I guess my thought would be that it sounds like a cool idea, but I don't think it's that big a deal that we don't have one."

From Geneva boys and girls cross country coach Bob Thomsen:
There is already two national championships for cross country - Foot Locker and Nike. The Foot Locker is only for individuals and the Nike Nationals had an individual and team component.
In fact, Lucas Verzbicas from Sandburg - who won this years state XC title - also won both of those competitions. The IHSA does not allow us as coaches to participate in coaching any of our athletes that would like to participate.

I like that there is a place for the athletes to compete on the national stage and I have encouraged my runners that want to compete beyond the season to get involved.

In 2008, our girls competed in the Nike National. The won the mid-west regional and ran in the national race in Oregon where they placed 17th. They ran in the regional this year and finished 4th.

Over the years, I have had many runners compete in the Footlocker regional. Unfortunately, I can only be a spectator according to the IHSA.