Felicia L. Brown Edwards

Would allowing only pros in US Nationals improve US track team and athletes? It’s a QUESTION, not a statement! Warning: This is long. Any given day a HS future pro can defeat a pro. Like any given day a HS future pro basketball player can hang 30 pts on a pro. But can they do it for a season? Can a HS or college track athlete thrive at Worlds or Olympics like a proven pro can, after a full regular season and nationals? There’s examples that say yes and examples that say no. But would the experienced pros have a better chance making teams consistently if they were only competing against other pros rather than a crowded field of pros, college, and a few HS athletes who may not make the team but knock others out of the rounds? Or even if that college athlete does make the team then lack of pro experience causes them to exit first round at the championship. THIS IS NOT ABOUT WHETHER THE HS OR COLLEGE ATHLETE DESERVES IT. THEY DO!! So please, please, please lets not debate that part. We already agree they do deserve it. Let’s focus on this. Being a pro track athlete is extremely hard. Very little support for many. College athletes have more support so sometimes better prepared. I personally have criticized pro athletes who exit US champs first round. I now realize in some cases (not all) the mental strain they live with knowing their financial situation and their life as an adult responsible for taking care of their self and maybe family hinges on making these teams and for many that stress affects their training and ultimately performance. So the question is could limiting nationals to only those, including HS and college athletes (like Erriyon) who have declared as pros, improve the lives and performances of US pro athletes and the US team? And should that be the rule? @CitiusMag @RaesTake @RunBlogRun @track_reports @VoicesofTnF @ansonhenry @FloTrack