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After reading some of the replies on this topic in the discussion section I could not hold back any longer. Hershey is by far the worst course that our kids run on all year. It is unbelievable that the PIAA thinks that having the State Cross Country Meet at Hershey is even close to acceptable. If you saw Coopers Lake then you would know that there is simply no comparison. The Hershey course is awful for spectators. If you want to see the end of the race you can forget about seeing anything in the middle. Unless you are as fast as the competitors and can sprint back to the finish line to watch only to end up 4,5 or 6 people deep to catch a glimpse of your kid going past. But be sure to hold your breath on a warm day because the sewage plant can be rank!
Just to be clear to the people in Philly and Harrisburg. HERSHEY IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE MIDDLE OF THE STATE. If you don't think so then fold a map of PA in half (east to west) and see if Hershey is even close to the fold. What is close to the fold you ask? That would be State College witch is situated in what county you ask? The answer would be CENTER COUNTY? Why would it be named such? BECAUSE IT SITS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STATE! If you would like to go one step further fold the same map in half north to south. Once again Hershey is not even close to the fold.
If you are going to use the hotel availability as an excuse not to move the Championship then lets count how many hotels there are in Shippensburg. (NOT MANY) The facilities at Shippensburg also stink. Yes I sad stink. Once again the spectators get screwed. Try watching the field events. POOR AT BEST. And the Track or what you can see of it because they insist on putting a tent up in the middle of the field so forget about seeing the whole race. And the PIAA Officials treat the athletes and coaches like criminals. The PIAA Officials should be treated like they treat the athletes and coaches for 2 days. I bet they wouldn't go back. And go figure the same schools get the same competitive advantage of not having to travel.
There is no reason to pretend that it is not a huge advantage for the kids from the area surrounding Hershey and Shippensburg they get a competitive advantage every year. Yes, it is a big advantage to be able to sleep in your on bed, eat breakfast at home, drive under and hour or two to run on a course that you have run on at least twice already in any given year.
State College, Lewisburg (Bucknell University), Altoona, Lock Haven would all be more centrally located than Hershey and I am sure that you could find a better place to compete and spectate. The only other question to answer then is what about the Money? How much money do you think Hershey makes just on the parking alone. Shame on the PIAA. The kids and the fans disserve MUCH better!
Cooper's Lake is awesome!
Too bad many of you have not seen Cooper's Lake. Fair course. not flat.Very spectator friendly. Can see much of the race at the switch backs in the left hand corner where you can see the start and get to a few points along the finishing stretches and near the finish line. Plenty of parking. Off I79 Lodging in nearby Cranberry and Wexford. Way in and out from two directions and bridge in place at the former bottle neck. Has hosted a NCAA D2 National XC meet, a number of D2 Mid-Atlantic Regionals and D3?/CMU,Conference PSAC and UAA? Championships. Expertly maintained by nearby Slippery Rock U. of PA Head Coach John Papa.