I'd like to discuss The Coach's comment about weak 3-2-1A Regionals. I'd be interested to hear which regional(s) he is calling weak.
Here is some historical data since 1998 that shows which regional the eventual state medal winners competed in.
While its not exactly the same from year-to-year because of changes in classification and also because boundaries for regionals are tweaked each year. But I think it still demonstrates a track record.
legend = (# of state champs,2nds,3rds,4ths,5ths,6ths = total state medals from that regional that year)
2002
Western Regional - (4,5,6,4,3,4 = 26)
Central Regional - (8,5,2,1,6,4 = 26)
Northeast Regional - (2,4,6,7,3,2 = 24) - ACCHS, Rossville and Wellsville had 12 of those 24 medals
Southeast Regional - (0,0,0,2,2,4 = 8)
2001
Western Regional - (5,6,8,8,4,3 = 34)
Central Regional - (3,6,2,4,4,7 = 26)
Northeast Regional - (6,1,3,2,6,4 = 22) - ACCHS 4 champs and 8 medals
Southeast Regional - (0,1,1,0,0,0 = 2)
2000
Western Regional - (6,4,5,8,3,4 = 30)
Central Regional - (4,8,3,4,5,3 = 27)
Northeast Regional - (2,2,3,2,1,5 = 15)
Southeast Regional - (2,0,3,0,5,2 = 12)
1999
Western Regional - (8,7,7,7,6,2 = 37)
Central Regional - (5,6,2,6,7,6 = 32)
Northeast Regional - (0,0,1,1,0,4 = 6)
Southeast Regional - (1,1,4,0,1,2 = 9)
1998
Western Regional - (10,8,10,6,5,1 = 40)
Central Regional - (4,3,2,7,3,3 = 22)
Northeast Regional - (0,2,1,1,4,5 = 13)
Southeast Regional - (0,1,1,0,2,5 = 9)
Obviously there could be a number of comments on these figures, but here are a couple I came up with.
1998 was the year they divided the western half Kansas along I-70 with those teams on the north side going to Phillipsburg and those teams on the south side going to Ellis. I left Phillipsburg as the western regional because that is where most of the MCL and almost all the NWKL (except Oakley) went.
Ellsworth's arrival in the 3-2-1a ranks has helped maintain the central region's totals.
Caney Valley's jump to 4A hurt the southeast's numbers, although Fredonia stepped in for them one year.
The resurgence of the Northeast regional's performance appears attributable to ACCHS' renewed success - and also Rossville's and Wellsville's outstanding performance in the 2002 meet.
ACCHS' improved performance appears simultaneous to Coach Flores' arrival. And Leoti's success for the Western regional fell following Coach Flores' departure - which likely has lowered the state medal count for the Western Kansas Regional.
Norton's jump to 4A last year likely lowered the western regional medal count.
Going into this year, one would probably have to give the nod to the central regional for its strength, but we'll finalize those numbers in March.
So.....which regional(s) were you calling weak?
