Track and Field Relay Records and Timing Discrepancies
In the world of competitive athletics, precision is everything. However, historical records for relay events often reveal a complex web of conflicting data. From differing reports on individual splits—the time it takes for a single athlete to complete their leg of a relay—to discrepancies in final winning times, the archives of track and field provide a fascinating look at the challenges of sports documentation.
Key Facts
- The USTFCCCA archive and contemporary reports often list different winning times for the same events.
- Individual athlete splits are frequently reported differently across various news outlets and official statistics books.
- The 2013 NCAA Men's Indoor Championships statistics book serves as a primary record for several relay team compositions.
- Timing variations can be as small as 0.01 to 0.7 seconds depending on the source.
Analyzing Timing Discrepancies
One of the most common issues in track and field archives is the variation in reported times. For instance, a winning time may be listed as 3:16.08 by GBR Athletics, while contemporary reports record it as 3:16.03. Similarly, some records show a winning time of 3:08.56 in the USTFCCCA archive, but 3:08.55 in other sources.
These differences often extend to individual splits. A notable example is Malone, whose split was listed as 50.4 by The Indianapolis Star but 50.7 by Track and Field News. In other cases, such as Washington's performance, The State reported a split of 51.4.
NCAA Men's Indoor Championships Records
The 2013 NCAA Men's Indoor Championships statistics book provides detailed rosters for various relay teams. These records ensure that the specific athletes contributing to a team's performance are documented, even when other sources may vary.
Documented Team Compositions
According to the official statistics book, several key teams were composed as follows:
- Colquhoun, Francique, Parham, and Tunon.
- Szeglet, Sterling, Smith, and Williamson (with Williamson's split reported as 45.66 in the Waco Tribune-Herald).
- Brazell, Coley, Greensword, and Willie.
- Sazirue, Teter, Wariner, and Williamson.
- Carter, Dardar, Rogers, and Willie.
Additionally, the USTFCCCA archive lists other notable combinations, such as Williams, Opal Cunningham, Truvillion, and Wofford, as well as Shermaine Ross, Caine, Sandiford, and F. Harris.
Data Conversion and Preliminaries
To maintain consistency, some historians use converted times. In certain instances, splits are derived from Track and Field News' converted times minus 0.1 per split to align with specific timing standards.
It is also important to distinguish between those who competed in the finals and those in the preliminaries. For example, Mario Watts competed in the prelims for a team that included Davis, Bragner, and Couts, as listed by the USTFCCCA.
| Athlete/Event | Source A Time | Source B Time | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malone (Split) | 50.4 (Indianapolis Star) | 50.7 (T&F News) | 0.3s |
| Winning Time A | 3:16.08 (GBR Athletics) | 3:16.03 (Contemporary) | 0.05s |
| Winning Time B | 3:08.56 (USTFCCCA) | 3:08.55 (Contemporary) | 0.01s |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a split in track and field?
A split is the time recorded for an individual athlete to complete their specific portion of a relay race.
Why do different sources report different times for the same race?
Discrepancies often arise from differences between official archive records (like the USTFCCCA) and contemporary reports from local newspapers or athletic organizations.
Who provided the split for Williamson in the 2013 NCAA championships?
The Waco Tribune-Herald reported Williamson's split as 45.66.
How are some relay splits calculated in historical archives?
Some splits are calculated by taking converted times from Track and Field News and subtracting 0.1 seconds per split.
Which organization archives the team compositions for Williams and Opal Cunningham?
The USTFCCCA archive lists the team consisting of Williams, Opal Cunningham, Truvillion, and Wofford.