Fully automatic vs. hand timing

Unfortunately I have not been out to any of the quality track and field meets lately. I am hoping to get out there soon.
However, I have been keeping up with the times each week, both through the results and the weekly top 10 times provided to us by coaches (many thanks to Tom Corrigan and Marco Chavez).
As always, I have been able to see that we have some great times and marks so far this season.
However, I have always noticed a debate either online or in person about the rankings using fully automatic timing and hand timing.
Here is my take on it: we have to include them in the rankings because they did happen. It is true they are more than likely off because of human error, but I don’t think that is enough to completely throw out a kids time.
The beauty about track and field is that when it comes down to it, the faster runner will be determined in a head-to-head race.
Another thing is the district and regional championships will be fully automatic. Ask any coach and they will tell you those are the meets that matter the most, not some hand timed ones early in the season.
On top of that, the rankings have asterisks next to the times that are fully automatic. I feel that is a fair enough indication to distinguish the times.
I have noticed some individuals get legitimately  upset to see hand times in the rankings. First off, I don’t know why someone would take the time to get upset over this when the answer is on the track when they race each other.
The purpose of the rankings is something fun to keep up with. Any time that is inaccurate, due to hand timing, is more than likely not far off.
So when you check out the rankings please recognize that coaches, athletes and track and field fans will know the difference between fully automatic and hand time. The ranking is just to recognize individuals that are posting some great marks.
There is no intention to take away from anyone else and I don’t feel a need to throw out the hand times and punish an athlete for going to a meet without fully automatic timing.
Overall, let just enjoy them and have fun this year and when district and regionals rolls around, we will know who is the fastest for sure.

Comments

[numkris]

I agree that the times should not be thrown out, those kids do work hard and deserve recognition. In order to create a more accurate picture the times could be adjusted according to standard practices throughout the State of Texas to reflect a more accurate picture. Maybe this could close down any person that is bent out of shape about the rankings. It is more important to remember that supporting the kids is the most important part of high school athletics, colleges look at dyestat not the local papers. It is only the parents that want to brag who care, the kids really don't mind it.

You will not want to miss the Montwood Invitational in two weeks, it is going to have some of the fastest runners (5A and 4A) in the city all in the same place, only happens two or three times a season (if we are lucky).

[MHS Mom]

Keep an eye out for Montwood's Stephanie Sazo in the 100 yard dash. She is ranked 2nd according to the EPTimes and is out to prove that she deserves to be there or higher. Good Luck Sazo!

[numkris]

Unfortunately, she is going to have to run faster than the unadjusted hand time ahead of her to get her ranking. I have yet to see her even pushed at a meet, and yet she is second.

[MHS Mom]

Maybe it is because she was busy helping her soccer team reach the playoffs. Dont forget she qualified for regionals as a sophmore along with two seniors (Rachel Mack and Keisha King). Unadjusted time or not she deserves to be where she is and will only get better now that she can concentrate on track 100% of the time. GO SAZO!

[numkris]

Maybe you were confused, I was talking about Sazo. All of the meets I have been to where she ran, she was not even pushed hard to win. She is an outstanding athlete and will only set records in the next couple of meets. What I was referring to about the situation is that she does not deserve 2nd she deserves 1st. I have actually seen her try to balance both sports and she is incredible.

[numkris]

Awesome job today Sazo! Glad your back....

[trakstar]

Sazo? What about HENDERSON from Andres!? Ha!!! She's way faster

[HA!]

HENDERSON???? HA!!!!! Sazo ran a 12.7 FAT time this past weekend which clearly beats her:) Sazo is now THE fastest girl in the city.