“Around the Oval’’
CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: McINTOSH RECORDS
R.I. Track & Field Foundation
COACHES/MEDIA NOTE: For the past 20-25 years, record-keeping for indoor and outdoor track in Rhode Island high school competition has utilized records that are kept and maintained by Track & Field News Magazine; which in turn adheres to criteria set forth by national and international track organizations.
This applies particularly to outdoor events on the track: the 100- and 200-meter dashes, the 100- and 110-meter high hurdles, and the horizontal jumps. The rules state: “In the 100m, 200m, 100HH, 110HH, long and triple jumps only marks made with allowable wind assistance (2.0 mps or less tailwind) are accepted as records.’’
This requires the presence on the track, or alongside jumping runways, of a wind gauge implement to accurately measure these readings, and to be posted on official results. It was erroneously assumed, by me, that an event as major as the six-state New England Championships would include an implement no less vital to the meet as the hurdles and starting blocks. It’s been confirmed, however, that no wind gauge was present at the Thornton Academy track in Orono, Maine.
Therefore, unfortunately, Hope High’s Quashira “Q” Mc Intosh did not clock R.I. state-record times in the 100- and 200-meter dashes – even though the numbers said otherwise.
While adherence to Track & Field News record criteria is eminently fair – in that a Rhode Island student/athlete can compete at any legitimate track meet on earth and post state records – the technicalities of the sport cannot be ignored or “cherry-picked’’.
I take full responsibility for the New England report.
Bob Leddy
RIT&FF correspondent