Neely Spence ran 15:27 this year at the USA outdoor championships but was not added to TnF news comprehensive performance list. When I inquired why there response was because she was not a D1 athlete and she ran it after NCAA's. I understand the part with it being after NCAA's but I was stunned when they mentioned her D2 status. Theoretically what if she or another athlete runs 15:06 or faster then any other collegiate? What list would that make then? Why isn't Scotty Baughs 27:48 on the all time top 10 list? He is ahead of our "great" athletes like Alberto Salazar, Craig Virgin, Ian Dobson, and Josh Rahatinsky. Also Mario Macias from Adamd State has run 28:02, So that would push Salazar and Hauser off the top 10 list all time. Maybe having a list with multiple D2 guys on it would diminish the greatness of D1.
Why does it matter what Division she runs for? A college athlete is a college athlete. Also look at Kibwe Johnson from Ashland University. He has thrown the indoor 35# weight 82' 3" inches almost 4' further then any D1 athlete in history but he isn't given the recognition for it because he is not D1.
http://trackandfieldnews.com/index.php/tafn-lists?list_id=11&sex_id=W&yyear=2008
What are your thoughts?