Disgrace of the year? TFN ranks Matthew Centrowitz #5 in its 2016 1500/mile rankings

Andrews was fourth at World Indoor 1500m. Willis and Holusa also medaled (Willis and Centro both medaled at World Outdoor), and Souleiman, Wote, Wolde were also in the race. I'd say that is some pretty solid competition, 2/3 of the World Outdoor medalists, plus the new indoor 1k record holder in Souleiman. Indoor would not historically have mattered but in an era where there world indoor and good competition it should matter. For world rankings, national championships and trials should matter, because they show whether an athlete had a good season at the important events, particularly in countries with very strong teams, such as Kenya, Ethiopia, and the U.S. Centro won World indoor and outdoor Gold, as well as U.S. trials, and so it beggars reason to name him fifth. I'd venture a guess that TFN has never given such a low rating to a world gold medalist.

jjjjjj wrote:

I'd venture a guess that TFN has never given such a low rating to a world gold medalist.

The post directly above yours gives one such instance: Peter Rono.

Yes, but Rono did not win other world championships that year.

The T&F News rankings are a big deal.

Most athletes in the sports have bonuses tied to them.

Rupp got 4th in marathon based on two races.

CKidd wrote:

Rupp got 4th in marathon based on two races.

I should clarify that I know marathoners don't run that many races, relatively speaking. But a qualifier win and 3rd place in your only international race seems to have gone a long way for him.

CKidd wrote:

CKidd wrote:

Rupp got 4th in marathon based on two races.

I should clarify that I know marathoners don't run that many races, relatively speaking. But a qualifier win and 3rd place in your only international race seems to have gone a long way for him.

Why does a (U.S. trials) qualifier win count for Rupp but not for Centro or Simpson?

Sounds like we could make some money making a bet with T&F News rankers about what Centrowitz will do in a big race!

Being smart enough NOT to run Diamond League meets is why Centrowitz should be ranked #1. Do you think this is all about physical ability only?

This is what happens when you dodge competition all year and don't run a top 20 1500 time. Glad to see that T&F News knows what they're talking about.

T&FN rankings have become less and less important in the digital age, so who really cares.

At the end of the day, would you rather have the Olympic Gold or the number 1 ranking with T&F News? As far as shoe contract bonuses, I'm confident the Olympic Gold medal bonus is higher than the world number one ranking bonus.

My 2 cents, he should be ranked 2nd just due tro the fact that he didn't race enough head to head outdoors (being injured at the start of the season and reducing his race load may have been a blessing come Rio).

If we are counting both Indoors and Outdoors, I'd give him the number one spot.

JR

I think let's run is correct in using indoor track as part of their ranking criteria. There is a World Championship. We have a national championship. We have world class meets like Millrose. There is a high caliber NCAA Championship.

Centro navigated his way thru indoors taking on all comers, winning everything and running the fastest mile in the world. A time that stood up thru outdoor as a world #1.

Centro navigated his way thru outdoors, overcoming injury and still won everything he ran, including the two meets that mattered MOST.

He is most definitely not a #5. You have got to be kidding me...if I was on that voting panel, I would be embarrassed.

Track and field news is not consistent with how they rank athletes. Double standards, inconsistencies and a "partial" and "incomplete" protocol for ranking athletes. Plus I doubt they put much effort or thought into the US rankings after number 2.

Lol and to add fuel to the fire, people have seemed to forget that Slagowski beat Manzano at the Pre race. The fourth best guy in the country was beat by a highschooler. What a world we live in.

Just popping in to say that Centro's 'World Leading' 3:50.6 miles converts roughly to a 3:33.mid for 1500m - good for roughly 15th on the performance chart (better than his 21st ranked 3:34.09 1500). Talk about the #1 1500/miler!

Again... I'm sure he would take the Olympic gold over anything (who wouldn't), but beating a 40 year old Nick Willis @ the Indoor Champs, not winning a single international outdoor race and not cracking the top 15/20 time in your event does not make you the best runner of the year.

I suppose you would also say that Aristotle and Socrates did not exist?

macdaddy wrote:

This is what happens when you dodge competition all year and don't run a top 20 1500 time. Glad to see that T&F News knows what they're talking about.

Matt Centrowitz's Dad knew how to get it done. That plan included skipping meaningless races. Perhaps while those guys were busy getting their second place finishes in the DL, Centrowitz was training?

I like to think that his what I would have done. Do what gets you the medal.

Rojo,

What do you know about how TaFNews ranks their events? Read the criteria first, it will make more sense to you. I know reading and writing is not your strong suit, but give it a whirl.

Sincerely,

Track Fans

This was an Olympic year, and imo everyone's goal was to win the Olympics. I imagine that is what they prepared for, and on the day, in the most important race of the year, CENTRO WON! He is number one for 2016, it isn't right to give it to anyone else.