Since Worlds is basically around the corner at this point for VRC, only a few more regional championships remain. Is it safe to assume that the REC Foundation will begin pulling teams from the waitlist for the World Championship after the very last regional championship takes place?
Also, have we reached a consensus about which regions are able and unable to attend in-person Worlds? Curious to know which regions are not sending teams since this directly affects how many teams are let in off the waitlist.
From what I’ve observed, the VIQC’s Open Division at Worlds had less than 100 teams for the middle school division; perhaps it’s not too farfetched to assume that the same could be done for VRC.
Teams that qualified in Feb needed to have given a yes / no by now. Teams that qualified across last weekend have two weeks to say if they are coming. So you should see teams filling from regional / state skills lists.
Not sure how Kentucky got to be on the 18th, I was told the 12/13 March was the last possible weekend.
I believe international championships are also occuring on the same weekend as well. Interestingly enough, none of their skills scores will count at their regional championships because skills standings were finalized today.
I remember a few years ago Texas had some state-level championships for different levels of their school classification system, plus one for non-public-school teams, so that could be what this is (if Texas already had their regular Regional Championships).
For Kentucky and other regions, I wonder if they had to reschedule it, or if they couldn’t find a venue available before March 14th.
Yes, due to the recent cold front/storm, their championships were delayed by a week. They were planning to hold a last minute skills event so that teams could post scores (as it was anticipated that the moved event would not have qualifying spots), but this was cancelled once the confirmation for spots was given.
I know there has been a lot of speculation over how Worlds Waitlist works. Does anyone have any updates whether it is First Come First Serve, Skills, Random, or some other way to decide the teams that attend Worlds?
Those events are part of RECFs ongoing effort to make vrc a uil sport in Texas. I do not believe there are worlds spots from them. To the OP question, worlds registration deadline is April 15, which to me might imply the start date for wait-list.
I think that’s closer than some realize. I’ve heard that next year is the “observation” year for UIL, and if it goes well it could be integrated in as soon as the 23-24 season.
What would it mean for VRC to be “UIL” recognized? State funding? Excused absences for travel tournaments? More school programs? Larger school programs?
If VRC were to be UIL recognized, it would essentially put it almost on the same footing as football and other high schools sports. What teams would get from it would vary from school district to school district, but typically that means that if a team places and qualifies to whatever is next in line (state, worlds), the travel and hotels would be covered.
As it stands right now, absences are already excused for travel and whatnot regardless of classification, as usually, the only requirement for those is that the event is “school-sponsored” (you’re competing on behalf of the school)
I do think VRC becoming UIL recognized may open up the possibility for more schools to open programs, but it’s also going to depend on how funding works, and if districts would provide schools with grants for parts and whatnot. It’s really hard to say what exactly it would entail since there’s nothing currently like VRC under the UIL banner.
(sidenote: little surprised that VRC opted for UIL recognition instead of CTSO, but I’m sure there was some reason for that)
@B-Kinney@Mentor_355v I hosted the Texas State Championships this week as well as the Texas Region 3 Championships a few weeks ago. All of the standard worlds spots go to the four regionals. The State championships is done by school size classification and a division for non-public schools. It is a signature style event with only the Excellence winners advancing to Worlds. Next year it will be an official state championship along with other academic and athletic contests. I’m just glad we could keep it alive long enough to get that recognition.
