As a former high school runner, I had the pleasure of competing in the New England indoor track and field championships just a few short years ago.
Not only was the level of competition amazing, but the friendships I made with some runners from other teams - including one of the best friends I have to this day - will last a lifetime.
Unfortunately, today's high school stars may not get that chance.
Recently, the Maine Principals' Association brought forth a proposal that would strip Maine cross country and track athletes from competing in New England competition as part of multiple proposed budget cuts.
The MPA's ad hoc committee will vote on the issue on Jan. 26. Other proposals including limiting preseason and holiday tournaments, along with cutting back on games in sports that are governed by Heal points.
Now, I can understand the latter cuts, since for sports such as basketball and hockey, officials have to be paid and there are travel costs, such as sending Calais up to Madawaska for a basketball game, or vice-versa.
But, ripping our athletes from a chance to compete at New Englands is just baffling, ridiculous and absurd.
Here's why: The only fee most schools pay to send athletes to the meet is the $15 entry fee. For example, if you elect to send three athletes who were fortunate enough to qualify, that's a mere $45 from a school's budget, with parents and athletes contributing to other costs such as lodging, transportation, meals, and so on.
Need I remind you that participation in these meets is voluntary. When an athlete qualifies, he or she has a short window to indicate Thornton Academy coach George Mendros their intention to compete or not.
Plain and simple, this ad hoc committee did not do any homework or research whatsoever. What good does it do a distance runner who clocks a 4:30 mile and beats his nearest competitor by 20 seconds?
None!
New Englands always brings out the best in athletes, and we've crowned many champions, recently Abbey Leonardi in the cross country championships last fall, with Emily Durgin placing second and Fiona Hendry ninth.
Need I remind you that all of these girls are freshman, and that efforts like this get noticed by college coaches, who may not have the time to travel all the way up here to look at an athlete.
Also, the friendships and experiences that suffice off the track are as much rewarding as medaling or earning a personal record.
An example: When I was fortunate enough to be on a 4x800 team that qualified my senior year at Brewer, we attended the U.S. National Indoor Championships, also in Boston, the next night, and Danielle Lainez, one of the best pole vaulters ever to come out of Maine, got an opportunity to have a photo taken with Stacy Dragila, the world record holder at the time.
That was an incredible experience not just for her but for me (I took the photo and still have it) and all of my teammates and coaches.
And, as far as travel costs, WE (the athletes) paid for our meals/shopping/subway tokens. WE and our parents chipped in for the hotel rooms. WE paid for the gasoline. The Brewer Parks and Rec Department loaned us a van, as they have always done when the Witches send athletes to compete in New Englands.
It's also amazing every few years to watch some of our best athletes compete against their New England brethren on our home turf. Not only is our economy boosted big-time by the money these out-of-state athletes spend on hotels, meals, shopping and so on, but we've had some of the greatest races in our illustrious running history in our own backyard.
Like Eric Giddings running an incredible 3,200-meter time in oppressive heat at Thornton Academy in 2005. Ben True coming oh so close to a cross country title in Portland in 2002. Riley Masters, Becky O'Brien and others of the Class of 2008 closing out their high school careers in their home state against the best in the region.
I applaud the efforts of Mt. Blue runner Melody Lam. You're really standing up for what you believe in, and on behalf of Maine's extraordinary running community, thank you.
If the MPA knows what's right, they'll vote no and our athletes will still have the right to compete in New Englands. A lot of kids I am close with personally still compete for Brewer, and many of them are seniors, and if the MPA rips this opportunity away from them their senior year, then shame on them.
Hey Hey MPA, Don't Take New Englands Away