You are right. I called the NCAA office today, and after finally getting the right person and being on hold for a half hour, he quoted me the rule and exception:[FONT=MyriadPro-Black][SIZE=3]13.11.3 Tryout Exceptions.
[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=MyriadPro-Bold][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=MyriadPro-Bold][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=MyriadPro-Bold][SIZE=3]13.11.3.1 Open Events. [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=AGaramondPro-Regular][SIZE=3]Participation by a prospective student-athlete in open events conducted by or held[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=AGaramondPro-Regular][SIZE=3]on the campus of a member institution shall not be considered tryouts. Competition shall be considered open if
the competitive event itself is not classified by age group or level of educational institution represented, and the
selection of participants is not limited except by number, by geographical area or on the basis of some objective
standard of performance (see Bylaw 13.11.1.8).
[/SIZE][/FONT]
Here is the WIAA High School rule: Amateur Status and Open T&F Meets
[FONT=Arial,Arial][SIZE=4]The open meets offered by many colleges and recreation organizations are open to any high school athlete to compete, in or out the high school season. The exception for this statement is when the athletes are professional or the college athlete is scoring for their school. If this is the case, the high school athlete should be placed in a different heat that has only non-scorers, unattached, and nonprofessional athletes. The high school athlete may not wear high school uniforms while participating at these meets. High school athletes should not be transported or coached by the high school coaches (paid or volunteer) until the summer out of season time period.
[/SIZE][/FONT]
Glad to know you’ve got the official rules in hand now. 
Yah… wish I had these last March 1st when decided not to run at the UW Last Chance meet…300 mile round trip and no running… but, when not sure better safe than sorry.
It is really unfortunate that you didn’t get to test the effectiveness of the taper in a race setting. However, the season was a massive success thanks to The CF Long to Short 400m template, some great coaching decisions, and a motivated athlete.
I’m looking forward to you updating the journal with the missing information so others can learn from your experience (as are many others I’m sure). It’s this kind of free exchange of experience and information that keeps the CF spirit alive!
Anyone looking for the original 12 week L-S 400m program I used this past winter, I started a new thread. It also includes video of the 3 different races ran during the program: