official information regarding youth qualification and points

[fluidfencer]

Michael Massik has asked me to post the following information unless I heard from him before 12:00 noon Mountain Standard Time. Please read this information carefully. Three specific issues are addressed.

David Arias
Youth Development Committee


YOUTH POINTS DATES

In establishing cut-offs and entry deadlines for National Championships,
it has always been the intent of the organization to be inclusive of all
possible qualifying opportunities. The May 1 cut-off date for points
stated in the Athlete Handbook reflected the anticipation that the April
NAC would be the last domestic point event of the season. Because recent
actions have established a point event and qualifying path to Summer
Nationals to be held after the May 1 date, the cut-off date for points
will now be immediately following the conclusion of the Kansas SYC.

YOUTH POINT STANDINGS

The Athlete Handbook states points are kept until the corresponding
event is held the following year. Currently the SYC is represented on
the points as one event, therefore, the 2003-2004 RYCs would remain on
the points list until the conclusion of the SYC in Kansas, May 28-30.
Since the May 28-30 event is after the Summer Nationals deadline, then
those who earned points at the 2003-2004 Super RYCs are automatic
qualifiers for this year's Summer Nationals. Those individuals earning
points at the April SYCs will be automatics to the 2005 Summer Nationals
as of the conclusion of the events, and should be noted as such for
those Divisions holding their Y14 qualifiers after the April SYC's. Due
to the timing of the April SYC's, points earned at these events WILL NOT
count towards seeding at the April 15-18 Youth NAC in Chattanooga, TN.

SUMMER NATIONALS ENTRY DEADLINE

Anyone who plans to use the Kansas SYC to qualify for Summer Nationals
MUST submit his or her Summer Nationals entry prior to the entry
deadline with a note stating they plan to attend the Kansas SYC. These
entries will be held until after the Kansas SYC to verify qualification
status. Those who do not qualify will receive a full refund. Anyone
attending the Kansas SYC and submitting a Summer Nationals entry after
the deadline will be subject to late fees. Finally, no changes will be
made to extend this season past the Kansas
SYC.

[edew]

That's why they pay Michael the big bucks while the rest of the YDC and such are volunteers.

Say thanks to Michael. It's about as clear and sensible a plan as any can be.

[nycrhythmdoc]

Originally Posted by edew

Say thanks to Michael. It's about as clear and sensible a plan as any can be.

Agreed. And a big thanks to fluidfencer for tracking down the plan and communicating it to the rest of us!

- Ken

[Craig]

Made a sticky.

[happy]

Yes, include me among the grateful - thanks!!

But believe it or not, I'm still confused....sorry.

I think this announcement is saying that Y14 fencers can qualify for SN if they:

a) earned points at any of last year's SRYC, or
b) earned points at any of this year's SYC


Is that right?

(Obviously points at a NAC, as well as the local qualifiers still work).

It is a generous/inclusive standard since it uses points for both seasons, which I think is great, but I want to make sure that's the intent - I only raise this because the reasoning in the post doesn't quite make sense (to me) in describing why the standard was adjusted in this way.

What I assumed would happen was that the entry deadline would be extended (which it was) so that results from any of this year's SYC's can be used to qualify.

I didn't expect then for last year's results to be also be accepted for qualification. It ends up as double dipping of sorts - which is great, but I just want to make sure I understand it correctly.

I'm confused because, as the note reads, it seems like the reason for including last year's SRYC points was because the Kansas SYC was after the SN application deadline.

["Since the May 28-30 event is after the Summer Nationals deadline, then those who earned points at the 2003-2004 Super RYCs are automatic qualifiers for this year's Summer Nationals."]

However, the final section says that points earned at the Kansas SYC can be used to qualify - so the reasoning in the second section isn't quite right.

["Anyone who plans to use the Kansas SYC to qualify for Summer Nationals MUST submit his or her Summer Nationals entry prior to the entry deadline with a note stating they plan to attend the Kansas SYC. These entries will be held until after the Kansas SYC to verify qualification status."]

This is important not only so people know if they have qualified or not, but I assume it will impact qualifying tournaments as well, since (I believe) people that have already qualified aren't included in the top %. Including both seasons points from the SRYC/SYC will impact the cut-off for these as well.

The nice thing about these changes (assuming my understanding is accurate) is that they are all inclusive, and will result in more people having the option of attending. As a parent, I think that's a good thing for the kids as well as the sport.

If I'm reading this incorrectly, I would love to know that too.