Discussion: Junior Team

I think the junior team is doing just great. Coach Jeff and the other parents and other adult helpers in lots of different clubs have a program they should be proud of. The kids are getting better, they are enthusiastic, they are having fun, they are making lifelong friends, and, to repeat, they are getting better. I see nothing but good in all of that. It's a great package.

It's been said that they aren't being properly prepared for the senior team. I look at recent JWOC results (especially Suzanne Armstrong's runs in the classic and the relay, but there are other good ones too) and they look a lot better than anything the senior team has done for a long time.

If Vlad or others want something to be concerned about, I suggest looking at the senior team. It doesn't seem to be accomplishing much. It's not at all clear what it is trying to do. And it certainly doesn't have anywhere near the "team spirit" of the juniors. It's the one that needs to take a hard look at its program, to the extent that it has a program.

Meanwhile, bravo for the juniors.

Peter Gagarin
pg@crocker.com

Peter's enthusiasm toward the Junior Team can be only applauded. Unfortunately, looking at the numbers and results at National meets where you see regularly 1 to 3 competing at the junior level and increasing average age of the Senior Team - I can tell, even without looking into a crystal ball, that something is wrong with O in the USA. We need to support our juniors - it is the fact! They are the future base for the team that would represent the country at the international competitions. Unfortunately, everything is moving only as a result of the work of the handful number of concerned parents (including junior team coach). I admire the efforts that Stanislav and Texas grownups are doing with the groups of interested juniors. Looks like we need to work more in clubs with our juniors and bring more juniors to the sport. USOF support is vital for this. Lets do more for our young ones!
Sergey