USATF 1500m - standard changed???

or USATF ensuring that they have enough people in the meet. it's kinda sad that we don't have enough guys who can make the standard but it happens every year with a few events.

You are a dumb ass

If they don't have enough people they let the next few people in. It happen to WEJO one year and he went on to take 4th in the race. Ask him about it.

You can have whatever opinion you want. But at least respect the facts.

From

http://www.usatf.org/events/2006/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/entry/qualifyingStandards.asp

"Qualifying Guidelines

7. An entered athlete attaining a qualifying mark within one-tenth percent (0.1%) of the standard for a running event, 3 cm below the standard for the discus, javelin, or hammer, 2 cm below the standard for the shot put, or 1 cm below the standard for other field events may declare their desire to compete during the normal declaration period. Athletes within this allowance may be accepted into the competition by the Sport Committee Chair when positions are available in existing heats or sections in running events or when the number of competitors in a field event is fewer than the stated field size. "

Grant Robison's 3:42.34 and Brendon Mahoney's 3:42.35 both fall in that 0.1% window.

chuck d wrote:

guys who can make the standard but it happens every year with a few events.

It only happens in events where the athletes are drug free.

How many years ago did Grant even run 3:42? (that is the better question)

He has been terrible the last 2 years!

My problem with this is the inconsistency with which they handle this every year.

In 2003, they let in people who weren't even close to qualifying. People outside the 0.1%.

In 2004, they didn't let in people who were qualified, sticking to the "field size" in many events.

In 2005, they go back to letting in a lot of non-qualified people.

Why have STANDARDS if we are not even going to hold to them? Why list FIELD SIZES if we are not going to hold to them?

in 04 didnt they have an A (auto) standard and a B (provisional) with field numbers?

I.e. in the 1500 they had 3:39ish for the A and 3:42 for the B but they said "we are taking 36 people."

The only way that changes is if over 36 get the A.

Thats exactly how the Ncaa used to do it.

The qualifying procedure for 03, 04, and 05 was exactly the same -- A standard, B standard, and field sizes

The only difference has been decisions made by meet management, which have been terribly inconsistent.

Go back a few years in the 5k and 10K -- rules and standards changed days before the meet to allow certain people in -- note Ritz in 01 to take a shot at the US junior record, Ritz in 05 as a "defending Olympian"

People plan their training and racing to play by the rules, then the rules change depending on who coaches you, or who you know on the track and field committee. It's 1970 all over again.

You can blame the former WSU coach. Last year he was spouting that he was responsible for the fast 5000 because he threatened to put them into 2 heats.

The biggest A Hole at the meet.

Well, let's not stop there. I propose that we hand out raffle tickets at the entry gates and call on random fans to participate in the 1500.... or better yet, the second section of the men's 5k. Anyway, the standards that are defined annually clearly have no credence. THE MORE THE MERRIER!!

Grant Robison is like a once great sports car now falling apart after a decade. After he ran a 3:35 in Europe Robison has not been the same. What is with all these talented US 1500 meter runners getting injured. Berryhill and Robison are like beaten up boxers. Lunn may not be the fastest milers around but at least he can stay somewhat healthy.

The standard if equivalent to a four mintue mile. I think it is very fair.

Lagat will at least assure the winning time won't be a mediocre 3:40+ time.