Well, it looks like I set off a small firestorm yesterday by stating the apparently controversial opinion that XC meets are mandatory for my team. Didn't really think that was going to be a big deal. Shows what I know. So, with absolutely no one asking, here is another controversial statement: As an XC coach, my priority is to build a winning XC program and develop distance runners. I know. Monster. "But what about the kids who only want to run XC when it fits around everything else they do? That's selfish!" I never said I was a nice guy. I said I'm trying to build a winning XC program. "Well, NO ONE does cross country. Other sports are more important." Really? Hang on. *types into Google* *clicks first link* Cross country is the 4th most commonly offered high school sport in the country for both boys and girls. That seems weird. I was assured nobody does it. "Well, XC isn't a REAL sport. You're not even a REAL coach." Oh. Well this is embarrassing. I've been giving kids medals all these years like they actually accomplished something. I probably need to talk to my AD and see if I can get on a career path toward becoming a real coach someday. Goals. "Cross country is just conditioning for athletes who play real sports." Got it. *searches internet again* Wait. When did this happen? Apparently the NCAA sponsors cross country championships. And colleges give scholarship money to distance runners. Actual money. For running. Someone should probably let the NCAA know this isn't a real sport before this gets out of hand. "Yeah, but nobody cares about running." You keep saying that. Let me check one more thing. Cole Hocker: Olympic gold, 1500m. Grant Fisher: two Olympic bronze medals, 5,000m and 10,000m. Yared Nuguse: Olympic bronze, 1500m. Kenneth Rooks: Olympic silver, 3,000m steeplechase. Did anyone care about any of those races? Probably not. And before the soccer people light another bonfire in my mentions, YES, soccer is a real sport. See how easy that was? Anyway, thanks for the conversation. Still didn't change my mind. My job is to build a winning XC program and develop distance runners. Period.