New criteria for USATF Youth Worlds Qualification

[boomervandal]

In the past in order to qualify for the USATF Youth World team it was mandatory for the athlete to compete in one of two, or both, track meets in the summer before the Youth World Meet. (USATF Youth Championships or USATF Junior National Championships).

From the USATF site:
"USA Track & Field athletes ages 16 and 17 through December 31, 2009 (born in 1992 or 1993) will be considered for the team based on performance at a qualifying meet to be held in June 2009 (site and date to be announced at a later date)."

Is it just me or does this new qualifying standard seem a bit much for kids in their young teens. Why not give these young teens the ability to qualify early and have the 10 months to train and prepare for the largest track meet of their young lives.

[MJR]

its no bigger a deal for them than trying to go through a tough state meet & most of the kids won;t hit qualifying performances until that spring anyway, the meet is to sort out spots in events where there are more than 2 possible entrants