High School Sports

Washington Post staff writer Jon DeNunzio was online Thursday, April 6, at 1 p.m. ET to field questions and comments about The Post's Winter 2006 All-Met section.

The transcript Follows.

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Jon DeNunzio: Hello folks, and welcome to another All-Met chat.

As you probably know, the winter All-Met section came out today. It's a little different than past sections in one big way -- there are eight different covers floating around the Washington area. Each Player of the Year got his or her own cover.

Also, each cover lists players from your area who are inside the section -- Howard County readers get a list of Howard kids who made All-Met, Loudoun readers get Loudoun kids. Did anyone notice this? What did you think?

Finally, my ground rule for discussing All-Met picks -- I won't say why so-and-so did NOT make the team. To be honest, there's now way I can explain specifics without sounding like the player was lacking in some way. And in almost every case, the players people ask me about are GREAT players, but just miss the cut in a very competitive process. As I always remind folks, we cover more than 270 schools in the D.C. area ... picking 10 first-team players is very difficult.

Some of you have already submitted questions about individuals, and I will likely post them, but now you know why it looks like I'm avoiding the meat of the issue.

Ok, let's go ...

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Reston, Va.: How are the athletes selected? Based on records? Based on coaches recommendations? Based on Post writers observations?

How can someone who is undefeated in District Meets, winner of the District Championship, 2d in Regionals, and 3rd in States not make 1st or 2nd team All-Met?

That on top of a 27-1 record in district meets over the last 4 years.

Jon DeNunzio: The basic question we always should answer first -- how does The Post choose All-Mets. Most of this is copied from a previous chat of mine:

We solicit nominations from coaches at every school in the Washington area, asking them to nominate players from their schools and other schools (in fact, we tell coaches we take the nominations more seriously if they take the time to nominate kids from other schools. Some coaches are great about this, and even submit a list of who'd they pick for All-Met if they were in our shoes. Those guys are great!).

We take the coaches' nominations into consideration along with our reporters' observations, raw talent, success on the field as an individual and a team, and try to weigh it all. We know in the end we have to make subjective choices that never please everyone.

Now, regarding your specific question ... I would guess that the athlete you refer to is in a very competitive spot -- while he or she was third in Virginia (presumably), remember that we cover athletes in D.C., Maryland and at the many private schools throughout the area ...

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Frank, Rockville, Md.: John - Any sense for how many of the All-Met -Boys Basketball] player came up in the AAU circuit?

Jon DeNunzio: I would guess that all of them play AAU ball in some way, shape or form. For better or worse, it's pretty much conventional wisdom that if you're gonna be good in basketball, you need to play in these offseason leagues.

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Baltimore, Md.: Love the layout of the new All-Mets...

A little confused on why Brady Fox missed out a being an All-Met as a Metro champion in the 500 free and second to Josh Hafkin in the 100 back with a time which wins most state meets...both of these as a freshman! Was it because he was a freshman, or cause Georgetown Prep already had 2 other All-Mets? Either way, I think he got robbed.

Thanks

Jon DeNunzio: This is a smart poster -- say nice things first, then mention a potential omission.

Thanks for the kind words. Brady Fox, for the rest of you out there, is one of Georgetown Prep's top swimmers. Comments below posted without comment from me, as promised ...

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Washington, D.C.: Out of curiosity, why weren't any of the players from Oak Hill (specifically, Tywon Lawson) chosen for the All-Met team?

Jon DeNunzio: We limit our high school sports coverage to schools that are in the D.C. area. Oak Hill is in Mouth of Wilson, Va. -- a long way outside the Beltway, as you know.

Lawson -- a local who now goes to Oak Hill -- was not eligible for All-Met for that reason. Great player, though.

It would get really tricky if every kid who comes from D.C. but leaves town for boarding school, etc., were eligible for All-Met. Yikes.

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McLean, Va.: Why every year the majority of the all mets for swimming tend to be freestylers?

Jon DeNunzio: You know, I had not noticed that (and assuming you have done the math and this is true). I'll talk to the swimming reporters (Charlie Moss and Rich Campbell) and see if I can find an answer ...

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Rockville, Md.: Why is track so limited? Why aren't there 2nd team, 3rd teams, and honorable mentions like other sports?

Jon DeNunzio: The size of the indoor track team reflects two things:

1) Not as many schools have indoor track programs as outdoor ones. And Those that do often run short winter schedules.

2) There's a cross-country All-Met team in the fall and an outdoor track All-Met team in the spring. Track athletes (distance runners, esp.) have more shots at making All-Met than just about any other high school athlete in the area ...

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Takoma Park, Md.: How does The Post determine which sports will have an all-Met selection? Will there be an all-Met for boys volleyball this Spring?

Jon DeNunzio: A sport generally has to reach a "critical mass" of participation area-wide to gain more coverage and All-Met recognition. I do not think boys' volleyball is there yet. Although there are active pockets ...

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Winchester, Va.: I know a lot goes into the selection process but it seems hard for players located quite a distance away from Washington to receive recognition unless they or their teams make it to State playoffs. What are the criteria for the selection process? Do you use media personnel other than The Post for assistance?

Jon DeNunzio: You know, this is interesting. We do not consult with other papers ... but perhaps we can do a better job canvassing the farther-away places like Frederick County, Md., and Fredericksburg.

To be honest, sometimes we know less about those areas because the coaches/teams do not call in their scores, etc., as often. We need to do a better job making them feel part of The Post "family" and encouraging them to send us info ...

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Bethesda, Md.: There are more All-Met swimmers who are freestylers simply because there are more freestlye events than back, breast, or fly. (One for each of those, four for freestyle plus two relays)... no need to run to other reporters Jon!

Jon DeNunzio: This poster was not necessarily nice to me, but makes a good point. I can respect that.

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Montogmery County, Md.: Thank you for not choosing the kid from Oak Hill. He is definitely a good player, but Mout of Wilson, VA is as far away as Blacksburg, VA. Wait a minute, The Post covers VA Tech like its located in Burke!

Jon DeNunzio: This A) isn't a question; and B) is really a comment for our college editor. (Man, I have started to evaluate each submissions. I guess I'm feeling judgmental).

But I will tackle a swing at it -- we cover Virginia Tech because we know a lot of readers who live in the D.C. area are very interested in the Hokies. I am pretty sure not many readers in the D.C. area are clamoring for Oak Hill coverage ...

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Waynesboro, Va.: How did Patrick Mcmahon not make at least HM at 130lbs. He beat Steve Sargent in the semis of states, won a state championship and placed fourth at national preps. Did you just miss him because he didn't go to Dematha?

Jon DeNunzio: Posting this with limited comment -- from wrestling reporter Jon Gallo (McMahon goes to Annapolis Area Christian, btw):

"The 130 pound weight class this year was arguably the toughest class we had to pick."

The reporters can't stand it sometimes, but I hold the line on the number of players we can pick in each sport. For wrestling. it was pretty much 6 at each weight class (one first team, one second team, four honorable mentions) with a few wild cards thrown in. My feeling is that **not** holding the line on the number of athletes per sport would water down the honor of making All-Met ...

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Washington, D.C.: One thing I have a hard time understanding is why some selections are not able to make it to the photo session. Do you guys give the student athletes enough notice? And if someone has difficulty getting to the photo shoot, do you make arrangements to get them there?

Being selected All Met is a great honor, everyone should have a chance to get their picture in the paper. Why not publish a separate individual photo for those unable to attend?

Jon DeNunzio: I think a small number of athletes will miss the shoots no matter when we do them -- today's section has more than 100 first-team athletes and coaches. No matter when we shoot the pic, someone is gonna have an unavoidable conflict.

We have resisted rescheduling individual shots because 1) those players would essentially get equal billing with the players of the year and 2) logistically, it could really be nuts.

But trust me, I HATE when even one player can't make the shoot. I know the player and his family would love for him to be in the picture, and I'm a bit compulsive, so I want a sense of completeness ... (is that a word?)

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Gaithersburg, Md.: I found it interesting that Gaithersburg, MD's, ladies basketball team had only one player, Latonya Copeland, get mentioned for the all Met teams. Gaithersburg ran through the regular season nearly unscathed and came in second in the MD state championship game. Was only one member nominated or was the rest of the second best team in Maryland considered to be mediocre?

Jon DeNunzio: Posting this w/o comment ... Gaithersburg did indeed have a solid year ...

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Washington, D.C.: What happened to Keenan Crutchfield of RM? Not even honorable mention? He helped RM all the way to the end. No disrepect to Ligon, but Crutchfield placed at Counties, Region and States. What does that kid have to do to get respect? He is even ranked on Dyestat!

Jon DeNunzio: Another one ... this looks like it's about track and field.

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Annandale, Va.: Have you ever recognized one of the many high school dive coaches as the coach of the year?

Jon DeNunzio: I do not believe we have in the past 5 years or so. Before than, unsure.

It's a good idea. We should keep that in mind for a year when a particular team has amazing diving ...

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Anonymous: I have a great concern that no one from the DCIAA made the All-Met team. Cardozo senior antonio cooper took his team to the City Title 3times in a row he did not get 1st team all met.

Jon DeNunzio: This is about boys' basketball ... one small comment -- no one from the DCIAA made the first team (10 players). There were players (Cooper being one of them) who made second team thru honorable mention.

I say it a lot, but it's true -- making second team is no shame. That means you were in the top 15 basketball players in the D.C. area ... if you do the math (280-plus schools, 12 players per team), that's VERY impressive. A lot of good players don't even make honorable mention, for that matter ...

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McLean, Va.: I know at least one All Met selection who missed the photo shot because the coach did not inform the child they had made the All Met team.

Jon DeNunzio: I hope this is not true. I'd really be upset.

If it is, please email me with details at denunzioj (at) washpost.com.

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Washington, D.C.: Why weren't Kevin Durant or Monica Wright put under the All American Area? Kevin Durant was the MVP of the game. Why is Katrina Wheeler on the Girls Second Team when she is already at Georgetown University after graduating in 2005? Where is Dajuan Summers he is one of the top players in the country but does not make All Met?? But besides that the All Met basketball selections were good ones.

Jon DeNunzio: This looks like it is a glitch on the website. They'll get it fixed right away. If you pick up the paper, you'll see those issues you mention are not a problem in print.

Dajuan Summers -- not eligible for All-Met He goes to McDonogh in Baltimore.

Thanks for the compliment.

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Bethesda, Md.: Whitman did extremely well this year in the all-Met selections, especially for a school not known for its athletics. Do you think having a new principal shook up the sports side of things, or is it just a coincidence?

Jon DeNunzio: Hmmm ... I do not know the answer to that one. Maybe there's a story there ...

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Vienna, Va.: I have not had a chance to look at the print version at home, but when I looked online, it appeared to me that Fairfax County was grossly underrepresented. While my children go to Madison (but do not play), which had great seasons in basketball and swimming, I don't see quality players we saw this season from Oakton, Fairfax, South Lakes, for example.

Jon DeNunzio: Well, this is a question I am very equipped to answer this year. Because we zoned the section by county, I made a list of all the athletes who made an All-Met team this winter (and the coaches of the year) and sorted it by county. Fairfax County had the MOST selections of any area jurisdiction -- 28 kids/coaches.

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Vienna, Va.: For crying out loud, just tell these people the truth.

The reason a kid doesn't get selected to an All-Met team is because s/he egged your houses last Halloween. Although that one kid had quite the arm. Maybe a spring All-Met in baseball?

Jon DeNunzio: Hahahahaha. How did you know?

I also keep players off if their first name is "Karl." "Carl" is ok, though ...

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Arlington, Va.: Diving and swimming have nothing to do with each and shouldn't be considered the same team. Diving coaches should be honored separately.

Jon DeNunzio: Well, not sure I agree. Officially, we consider it the All-Met swimming and diving team. And divers score points for swim teams in the meets, right?

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Bethesda, Md.: My comment about freestyler All-Mets wasn't directed to be negative to you, Jon, but more towards the person who posted the question. I was just trying to save you the trouble...sarcasm is tough to read sometimes.

Jon DeNunzio: Ok, cool. Thanks :)

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Bethesda, Md.: I found it refreshing that the ALL-MET section was not merely a tribute to Basketball, as it has seemed previously. It feels that all sports were viewed more equitably this year. Nice!

Jon DeNunzio: Thanks for the kind words.

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Takoma Park, Md.: Is there a quantifiable definition to critical mass or is it something that you know when it gets there?

Jon DeNunzio: I'd guess the low end of critical mass would start between 50 and 75 schools ... just a guess.

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Track All Met: It appears there are no All Met's for discus or shot ? Reason is ???

Jon DeNunzio: We do not do All-Met track by event. We instead try to pick the 14 best athletes (based on the criteria mentioned above), so some years no shot-putter or discus-thrower will make it. Other years, no high jumper or 1,000-meter runner may make it. Know what I mean?

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Washington, D.C.: Are any "adjustments" or additions made after the fact? I know you said you won't comment on why someone was left off, but Zak Adomanis of Progressive Christian was a state champ in wrestling, and finished 3rd in National Preps. I believe he beat Jobe (1st team) last year, and pinned Hutton from Largo (HM) multiple times.

Jon DeNunzio: I can comment a little on Zak -- our reporters have talked to coaches at Bowie (his school before this year), and they confirmed that he wrestled four years at Bowie. The Post does not consider athletes for All-Met honors if they are not public-school eligible.

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Washington, D.C.: I like the concept of having each player of the year on the cover. Will you continue that this spring?

Jon DeNunzio: Thanks. It has not been decided yet, but if we keep getting good feedback, we may just do that ...

Spring is a bigger issue, though ... we may have more than 13 Players of the Year, and olny 13 zones to put them in. We'll see ...

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Arlington, Va.: How did Bannister for wrestling - 103 only get Honorable Mention? He should have been 1st team or 2nd team. He is ranked higher then Eloshway.

Jon DeNunzio: Posting w/o comment ...

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Virginia: Why does the Post's HS sports Web pages still have winter sports (basketball) stats and schedules only? This is April and all winter sport seasons are complete?

Where can the results of ALL spring sports' weekly games be found?

washingtonpost.com: Thank you for your question. We are currently working to update this section.

Jon DeNunzio: Yes -- we are working to get some of this straightened out. Spring sports schedules may be a little harder -- there are so many sports, and when the rain comes, everything gets thrown out the window ...

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Rockville, Md.: With Kelvin Sampson leaving Oklahoma and Herb Sendek leaving NC State, I would assume Scottie Reynolds and Chris Wright are reconsidering their decisions to attend these schools. What do you know? I've heard Wright got 6 phone calls from different schools immediately following the announcement of Sendek's departure.

Jon DeNunzio: It has been reported that Wright de-committed from State. Reynolds seems to be weighing his options (What if the new coach at Oklahoma is to his liking? Might be worth staying.)

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Bethesda, Md.: Alex Anderson breaks Olympian and former world record holder Tom Dolan's Virginia State Record in the 500 freestyle and doesn't make First-Team All Met? Seems a little hard to justify. Wasn't Anderson First-Team two years ago, as well?

Jon DeNunzio: Posting w/o comment

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Gaithersburg, Md.: I know half your questions will be why one person or team was recognized and another not. How does team performance impact your selection of all met? Gaithersburg High School girls basketball made it to the 4A state finals and competed well against a bigger stronger Roosevelt Team yet no one made all met.

Jon DeNunzio: Team performance does play into it -- in many sports, a good player will lift his or her team to a higher level.

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Washington, D.C.: I am the parent of India Bradford. India Attends Carroll High in Washington, DC. She was informed that she was informed by her coach that she was nominated as Third Team by the WCAC conference coaches. Could you tell me, why she is not listed. Is it a different way you do this, because Last year, she was nominated for Honorable Mention and she was not mentioned in the post. Please explain why she was not listed and was told by her coach and also announced in her school both times that she was ranked. I also see players that are listed, have gone on to college What is really going on. Please explain this to me, because this is not fair.

Jon DeNunzio: Two things ...

1) I'm not sure what coaches are telling you, but their nominations for All-Met teams are important -- but not locks to get a player on the team. Maybe you;re confusing third-team All-Met and third-team all-WCAC?

2) Glitches in online list are being taken care of ...

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Fairfax, Va.: Hard to understand how two Virginia AAA State Champions in wrestling (Billy-103lbs and Garofalo-112lbs) were relegated to second team seeing how some weights had two wrestlers on the All-Met team. This was the first time in over 15 years that a wrestler from NOVA won the championship -103lbs; and the first time in memory that NOVA wrestlers won the first two weight classes that have been traditionally won by Eastern (Tidewater) region wrestlers.

Jon DeNunzio: Wrestling (like all the sports) was very competitive for the first-team picks. We only give 16 wrestlers first-team All-Met honors -- one per weight class plus a Wrestler of the Year and one "wild card." Many great athletes, like those you mention, end up on second team or honorable mention.

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Jon DeNunzio: Ok, folks, I'm over time. Thanks for all the great questions. Sorry I could not get to all of them.

If you have questions or concerns, you can always reach me at denunzioj(at)washpost.com.

Have a great day!

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