Ohio Milesplit Web Site - Editorial Comments
First, as we move toward Districts, Regional and State, I would like to thank everyone for their support and use of the Ohio Milesplit web page. As I approach the first anniversary of my taking over as Web Master or Editor of the page, I would like to point out a few things in regards to the process of posting of results and the athletes performances and the rankings that are created, as well as to invite athletes, parents, grandparents and coaches to add pictures and videos to meet results.
Posting of Meet Results, Performances and Rankings
First, we capture the results of meets. Myself and a group of individuals are responsible for the database. We do not create results. Meet results are provided to us by the timing companies, other websites, coaches and Meet Directors. The team of individuals that are responsible for the database in Ohio look at the calendar and as soon as results are provided, they enter the results on the meet page. This is done on a daily basis. The results however, must be in compatible format, i.e. a Flat HTML Hytek or RaceTab format. Text and PDF formatted results cannot be used. We can work with some others, but it is very time consuming. Our software, takes the results and creates performances in a process called "dehyteking," and creates the rankings from the performances. If the results are not in an acceptable format, performances cannot be created and included in the rankings and put on an athlete's profile.
In regards to the timeliness of receiving meet results and the creation of the Rankings. I must establish dates to run rankings articles, including Leaderboards, Top 10 Performances, Head of the Class and others. During the track season meets occur throughout the week. We try to keep the results and performances updated by Sunday evenings. For various reason however, some meet's results may have not been captured or provided and may not be included. Please let me know in an e-mail and I can check. If we do have results that have not been dehyteked, they will be and the performances will be created and added to the rankings accordingly. In the process of creating the performances from the results, mistakes occur. We cannot change meet results. We do not create the results. If a result is in error - a time or place, etc., with verification, we can change the performance. Several times this year for example, an event result would be created that had all the athletes as Female and this would create an incorrect ranking or an athlete was in the wrong division. These type of errors can be corrected and I welcome you're feedback and letting me know.We are processing over 100 meets per week and cannot look at each meet's performances.Duplicate athletes and duplicate performances happen. This can be corrected and the athletes merged. Just send me an e-mail and I can correct. Names are misspelled, etc. Once again, please send me an e-mail.
Meet Calendar
The meets on the calendar are added each year by a cloning process which updates the meet and changes the date for the next year. If you have a meet that is not on the calendar, please provide the information on the meet and it will be added to the calendar. Coaches and Meet Directors are responsible for notifying us about meet changes. If we are not aware of the meet, more than likely, no results will be captured and athlete performances created for the rankings. It is very important to get your meets on the calendar.
Team Profiles
On each team's page, accessible only approved administrators, team rosters can be managed as well as Divisions, Conferences, Districts and Regions that the teams are in. This is important for using the Rankings. This was to be updated prior to my arrival, but there are mistakes is both Cross Country and T&F. I appreciate you're letting me know if there are errors and I can get them corrected. We are one of few State that have 3 Divisions in XC and T&F and some schools are in different Divisions in each sport.
Pictures and Videos
I have several photographers that cover meets for me (us). They are parents of athletes in many instances who have good cameras and photography skills. I am always interested in having photographers throughout the State. I do have a budget and at our State Meets and other selected meets, the photographers are paid and are shooting for Milesplit or Ohio Milesplit. These meets are contracted with the photographers well in advance. If you are interested, please send me an e-mail and let me know where you are geographically in the State.
I welcome any photos and videos to be uploaded to posted meet results. The more the better. Pictures need to be batch downsized - 600x400 prior to adding. It's an easy process. Go to the meets results and you will see Black Bars "Add Your Photos" "Add you're Videos." Follow the instructions.
Sales of Pictures and Videos. We do not sell pictures or videos. An individual photographer may sell their photos with the exception of any OHSAA function. Impact Action Photos is the official photographer for the meets and anyone wishing to purchase pictures of their athletes will be directed to their website.
Thank you again for all of your support and cooperation. Ohio is one of the best State's for T&F and XC. Year in and year out, we have some of our athletes ranked in the top 10 in the nation in their events or sport. Please help me to continue to support our athletes and provide a great resource for them, their coaches and their parents.