letmeputittoyouthisway -
I was wrong again - it is a track meet, not xc. I was obviously not in the middle of the conversations, but apparently the track coach was putting pressure on the girls to not play in the playoff game.
However, HH is young and fast (probably at least partially a credit to the track coach), but I still believe that it would be difficult for them to get by BC - even at home. In any event, playing in BC with the full team (rather than at home with missing players) leaves HH without excuses. BC is an extraordinary experience, but if HH wants to challenge for a title, they must be able to overcome a hostile environment.