One of the fun things about track and field is that it is really easy to compare your performances with others.
The IAAF lists your statistics two ways. In one list, they show everybody’s best mark. My best throw in the shot put ranked #33 in the world this year.
The second listing is a points system. Their formula is:
Performance Score=Result Score + Placing Score.
In other words, your performance score includes your distance or time plus whether you won, took second, etc.
They average your performance scores to get your overall rank. This is a little weird, because you’re better off getting a first place finish in a local meet with no competition than scoring 7th at the NCAAs or USATF Nationals. I finished my season at #45 in the point system. Here’s what the IAAF site looks like:
And here is my calculation. It doesn’t look like they included either my final place in the NCAA’s (7th) or my tenth place finish at the USATF Nationals in Indianapolis. I’m not sure what these marks would do to my score.
USATF maintains descending order lists, too. I was 9th in the US overall and 5th among the collegians this year with my best mark. The Internet makes it really easy to see where you are. My dad, who competed for UCLA in the early 70s, says that they had to wait for Track & Field News to be published each month to see the standings. Times, and the way we cover sports, have certainly changed.
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