Mid-Season Thoughts
Now that week 7 and March is over, the season is starting to round into shape. Despite the winds that poiunded most of the state, some great performances still appeared. Perhaps the best was the 46.97 by North Crowley's Marcus Boyd at the Jesuit Sheaner Relays in Dallas. The TSU Relays provided the usual rewriting of the girls' sprint performance lists. Surporisingly the boys performances never seem to come close to matching what the girls do in Houston. Allison Pye notched a very impressive 1600/3200 double in Klein over excellent fields.
Of course there were at least 29 meets that did not report any results to go with about 20 meet results that came from sources other than the meet director. For whatever reason, most coaches still will not send results at the conclusion of their meet.
Even though I ask for this every week, coaches rarely let me know the timing method that their meets use. I can't tell you how much time I've spent going back over results to correct the performance list when I find out later from a coach that the meet used fully automatic timing (FAT). Most people don't seem to read the explanation that I have on the performance list page tjhat I will NOT consider a meet FAT unless it is confirmed by meet officials.
I know of quite a few instances where meets use the automatic timing system for selecting places, but they record hand times because they think it makes their athletes look faster. You'd be surprised what meets have done this in the past. Yes, it is dishonest, but despite the vast majority of track and field coaches being incredibly classy people, there are always a handful who don't kow the meaning of "integrity". They're either ignorant of what they're doing or they don't think that everyone can see what doing.
For those folks who have been so helpful in pointing out errors, I can't thank you enough. There are literally thousands of names every week and, since I'm the only one who works on this website (besides the wonderful folks who provide results), there are lots of opportunities for mistakes. For that reason, I count on the readers to act as proofreaders. So never think that I will be bothered if you spot an error or ask me to correct the spelling of someone's name. Just understand if I don't alter the results ithout confirmation from meet officials or consider a meet FAT just because you saw a camera at the finish line.
How good is Rynell Parson? I hope we get a chance to find out at the Texas Relays. This sophomore from Stevens has been tearing it up in the San Antonio area with windy, hand-held times of 101 and 10.1. Yesterday he was credited with a 9.77 at the Alamo Relays despite a report in the San Antonio Express-News that there was a malfunction with the timing system. Why did the meet admit the time is wrong, but still report it? Hmmmm.
The local paper has been giving this young man incredible coverage this spring. Today's edition even included references to "world record"! Fortunately, it appears he is a well-grounded young man who handles the adulation well. After reading quotes from other young cocky sprinters this spring, it's good to know that there is a classy athlete who works hard and lets his feet do his talking.
