1:10 p.m. EDT, October 30, 2009
Running cross-country for Hereford High School was one of the most positive formative influences upon my life. The county championship in the fall of my senior year in 1970 was coincidentally a closely contested match between Hereford, Towson and Dulaney, just like this year. We did not win, but at least I knew we were fairly beaten in an extremely closely contested race. I know 20 other runners other than myself ran their hearts out that day, not to mention the runners from many of the other schools. I think it is a tragedy that this year's similarly closely contested race was decided upon the color of undergarments. It would have been less than satisfying in 1970 if the tables had been turned and we (Hereford) had been awarded the county championship on the basis of such a harsh interpretation of clothing protocol. I can not for the life of me see how the color of spandex confered any advantage upon the Hereford harriers.

Paul R. Schlitz Jr., Baltimore

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