Brian Out Loud

Any takers?

Anyone up for the challenge of providing a way for myself and the athletes to have this ability in the next few weeks?

I hear silence on the matter. My guess is nothing short of magic or a miracle is going to get the job done.

The need here, in case you aren’t up to speed, is that the District 2-3A track meet in Santa Rosa Beach is scheduled the same day as the 2A state weightlifting meet in Panama City Beach.

The two locations are about 40 minutes apart, so it’s not as if athletes competing in both events that day couldn’t potentially have the option to do both.

But the issue here is that athletes shouldn’t have to choose between the two events. Athletes who compete in both sports have worked hard to get to where they are this season.

To force them to give up one because of a schedule conflict is just, well, silly and stupid.

But here we are, thanks to the latest genius move of the Florida High School Athletic Association, staring at a sports schedule that shows two big events on the same day.

The thing that gets me is District 2 is the only one among the districts in 3A to have its meet scheduled for April 12. All the others are the following week.

You have a nine-day window in which to get the district meet in, so it’s not as if there is a rush to make sure it’s done on a certain day or else.

I’ve been told the coaches all agreed to holding the district track meet on April 12 at Emerald Coast Middle School.

But maybe along the way a coach or two didn’t realize April 12 is also the day of the 2A state weightlifting meet.

The FHSAA has to be able to step in there and make sure everyone realizes as much. Typically, the 2A schools lift on Saturday. Not this time. And that’s why we have a problem.

Navarre is one of the schools with athletes that could be impacted by this schedule conflict. Dante Wright and Evan Gourley both have the potential to make it to state.

Both are part of the 400 relay team, too. Wright is also one of the best 100-meter guys in the area. Gourley is among the best in the 300 hurdles.

But if both fail to compete in the district track meet, their seasons are done. There is no next time.

They or others like them shouldn’t have to give up one dream just to chase another. As I’ve said before, too much work has gone into getting to this point for any athlete.

Much like with the NCAA, we always hear about how the FHSAA cares about the student-athlete experience. Allowing two major sporting events to take place on the same day in different locations kind of puts a dent in that opportunity to enjoy the experience to the fullest.

A change needs to be made. Move the track meet to the next week and the problem is solved.

Leave things the way they are and we’re back to square one.

Any update on that ability to be two places at once yet?