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Post by bevj on May 23, 2010 10:49:13 GMT -5
First of all I would like to congratulate all local athletes that qualified for the Maryland State High School Track & Field Championship. I do not intend to take anything away from them with what I'm about to say.
I was reading through this morning paper and when I got to the sports page I saw the article recapping the 1A west meet and local athletes that qualified. The article states the rules of advancement to the state meet of placing in the top 4 of your event or meeting a state qualifying standard. The article then goes on to mention the local athletes qualifying for states. The article ends abruptly with the sentence "Southern's Samantha Taylor was second in the pole vault." This is not a false statement, but the good people at the Times-News had a paragraph for the rest of the schools listing their qualifiers. Southern has one sentence. That paragraph should also mention that Miss Taylor qualified by finishing third in the 100m Hurdles. It should have also stated that although he didn't finish top 4, Shane Davis from Southern's boys team finished 6th in the 1600m run with a qualifying time of 4:40 and some change.
I know this is not the first time the Times-News has gotten it wrong, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Being a former XC and Track athlete at Southern it gets me steamed when the Times-News screws up and takes away from my former teammates accomplishments. This happened in November after the State XC meet when the Times-News (and I believe a similar article on Tristaterunnur) reported that the Mountain Ridge boys team placed 4th in the meet and Southern placed 7th. This was wrong because Southern was the 4th place team. Interestingly enough Oakland's paper The Republican got the story right as I am sure they will with this years Track regional meet. I feel the Times- News Mix-up last fall took away from the Southern boy's team accomplishment and gave false information to the readers of their paper. I just wish the Times-News would double and triple check the information in their articles before going to print.
Sorry this is so drawn out, I'm just letting off some steam!
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Post by frojoe23 on May 24, 2010 7:51:30 GMT -5
Joe,
I feel your pain on this one. The Times-News needs to send a worthy reporter to do stories on these events. It seems that instead they send someone that is more concerned with writing an interesting opening paragraph than actually reporting the news. This definitely won't be the last time local track athletes are overlooked.
This is the problem with having a staff that is not knowledgeable when it comes to high school track and field and won't even stay for the entire meet. Instead they glance through the results and try to write an article from a position where they didn't even see any of the action. It's like writing an article on today's Orioles game and not even watching it. Essentially, you are just reporting the box score.
I'll go a step further with this and say that the Headline on Saturday should have been "Welker wins three State Titles". But of course, it is in the middle of the page. I'm not even sure what the Sports headline was that day. Probably something along the lines of "Orioles sniff a win and blow it late."
Shane Davis definitely earned some recognition. He ran a tough gutsy mile race to earn a trip down there. He went out with the leaders and hung on. The goal next week is to take down Eric Rexrode's school record of 4:37. If he runs like he did Friday night, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.
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Post by Justin on May 24, 2010 8:27:39 GMT -5
I guess I've gotten used to it over the years, but it's actually gotten better. It wasn't rare for the Regional race to not be reported on and having the results in the box score was a rarity. Overall though I agree, the paper should send someone knowledgeable of T&F to the race if they are going to report on it. XC is even worse, when I was running HS I was being interviewed by one of the sports editors and had to explain XC scoring to them. How you are responsible for reporting on a sport and not even have a clue as to what the scores mean is just inexcusable.
I'm also a little surprised that 4:37 is Southern's school record in the 1600, I figured Todd Howard or Casey Mcbee (sp?) would have run faster than that, but I guess not.
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Post by frojoe23 on May 24, 2010 9:08:52 GMT -5
I was a little surprised as well. I remember running against Rexrode. He was a tough runner at 800 or 1600. His 4:37 was as a junior. As a senior he topped out at 4:40.
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Post by Justin on May 24, 2010 9:27:21 GMT -5
Or Dan Sincell (again sp?), but I can't find results. I'll have to look at home, I'm pretty sure Howard got into the 9:40's, so if he ever ran a 1600 it should have been faster than 4:37, but he may never ran a fast one. Those guys were always better in XC than track.
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Post by bevj on May 24, 2010 10:37:14 GMT -5
I was also always perplexed by Southern's school record in the 1600. Steve Cosner has a board in his classroom (at least he did when I was at Southern) that listed the school records and I examined it a few times and I can't remember the name but for some reason the time 9:47 sticks in my head as the 3200 record. I'm not 100% sure, but time seems ingrained in my memory. I was trying to find old State meet results out of curiosity, but I am having no luck.
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Post by Justin on May 24, 2010 10:44:23 GMT -5
Joe, Todd Howard ran that in the State Meet in I think 1996, getting second to Paul Spurrier from Brunswick. It was a great race, both guys battling back and forth the whole time, Spurrier actually lost a shoe sometime around lap 7 and sat on Todd until the finishing kick and out-kicked him with 1 shoe on and a sock flopping around. I felt bad for Todd, but he ran a great race. I actually think the shoe falling off helped Paul concentrate in the last lap and go for it more.
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Post by wvrunner on May 24, 2010 11:03:19 GMT -5
All of you bring up excellent points about the Times-News. Track and Field/Cross Country have always been shortchanged. Justin, you are correct, it has improved. I recall phoning in results from Track Meets (before the internet) and how frustrated some of the reporters would be because of how long it would take. Regardless, that is their job and those athletes deserve the recognition as well as the other sports.
The most "runner friendly" reporter was actually Steve Luse. He was always nice and would ask many questions about things he was unsure of. I think he has retired. From what I understand now, most of the reporters are pretty easy to work with but lack a true understanding of the sport.
On the Mineral County side, the Mineral Daily usually does an excellent job covering running related sports. In fact, at one time they let the coaches in Cross Country do their own write ups and e-mail them to the reporters. It was nice to see a nice quote about not only the winners but many of the runners who were not up front but maybe had a nice P.R.
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Post by kspradlin on May 29, 2010 22:27:34 GMT -5
not for a single minute have I been a sports writer for the Times-News. I was hired in October 2007 as a news reporter and cover, mostly, county and state politics. However, most everyone on this board knows I've taken quite a bit of time to cover the sport of high school XC and T&F since I came to town. Maybe I'm not the most knowledgeable, but I've tried to get the athletes' results (and sometimes a photo or two) published in a timely manner. When was the last time the Times-News traveled to the WV state XC championship meet? Yet, in 2008 I made sure Rebekah McBride's victory (and Darrell's photo) got in. That's one of a bunch of examples (from AMAC meets to tri-meets, like one last fall at Mountain Ridge that had little, if any, significance). I haven't submitted but a few of my running-related writings for the Times-News in recent months for a variety of reasons ... but no one's seemed to notice. So maybe what I didn't wasn't that big of a deal. It's late, it's been a long weekend even though it's only Saturday night ... I guess I'm just a bit surprised no one has made any distinction at all ... Regarding Steve Luse - yes, he retired but still works for the paper part-time. Other than what I have written in the past 2 1/'2 years, he's the only other reason anything running-related has gotten into the paper (my personal opinion). Also, I have to note: a newspaper that allows the coaches to submit their own writings is great - but please, don't call it "coverage." That approach is not journalism - however, I do give the News-Tribune credit for providing the space (and hopefully publishing those submissions in a timely manner). As for what gets covered at a meet - my approach is to go after the winners, generally speaking, whether a team title or individual. That's not a rule, however, and often I prefer to write about something different or unique to the circumstances. A senior wrestler-turned-runner who medals in the county meet, for example. But as covering the sport of running is not a full-time gig around here, sources - each one of you on this board, along with all other coaches, runners and parents - have a right to approach a writer and say, "hey, you should check this out ..." Coach Mickey is how I came to know about Bria Welker - times-news.com/archive/x1896352807 nearly a year ago. Since, she's been amazing (capped by, as someone previously pointed out, 3 state titles this spring). And that's probably just the beginning for her. How did I learn about her - Coach emailed me. And he's sent me a heads-up about Woody Snoberger, too - and I wrote about his accomplishment a while back... I also followed a group of QC Striders to the Marine Corps Marathon and, other than getting help for the hotel room expense, was not paid for that event. But the Times-News had the story the day after the race. And a group of Striders were contacted by cellphone two days before last fall's Chicago Marathon (and the day of, post-race) for two articles (okay, this was for TSR) ... This post is not meant to be about "I" but is meant only to show the sport of running has been covered, I believe, better in the local paper (and other outlets) in the past 2-plus years than prior to my arrival. Some have noted this, approached me and said thanks. Not necessary, but if discussion of the Times-News running coverage is the primary topic, then perhaps my efforts could be mentioned (or discreetly discredited, as the case may be).
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Post by frojoe23 on May 30, 2010 9:53:23 GMT -5
Based on your statement that an article submitted by a coach is not true journalism, then I guess any article submitted by you about your marathon club and/or events is not true journalism.
I have never seen anything from the Times-News that was truly objective. There is always a slant to every story that TN runs. After reading and hearing the account given by Richard Kerns, I'm 100 percent sure that there is no journalism whatsoever from the TN.
As for your comments about only getting hotel room for your trip to MCM. What did you want? A red carpet rolled out before you! Geez, come on man! For once do something out of the goodness of your heart instead of wanting or needing recognition or validation in some way.
None of this topic was directed at you. In no way were you even mentioned. You may feel that you are the Times-News, but I'd go with you just being a cog in the machine.
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Post by kspradlin on May 30, 2010 15:28:27 GMT -5
I never said it was directed at me, Jaron. I was only trying to add to the conversation and address a concern; a concern I feel I've helped to alleviate over the past 30-plus months. I'm sure there's a chance that you don't agree, and that's okay.
I've lived in many communities across the country (and other countries) and at almost every stop, the sport of running (and other "minor" sports) is/are overlooked by local media.
And no, when I write something for the marathon club and submit for publication to the Times-News, it should not, generally speaking, be considered journalism. That's called a news release, Jaron - part of a public relations effort on behalf of whatever organization submits the material. While I am a reporter, a journalist and am very aware of the ethics and boundaries and guidelines of journalism, I also know that if I'm writing something about which I'm in charge of, I can't help but be a bit biased. I do my best - as I'm sure every coach would be if asked to write a submission on his/her team.
Another thought here - most newspapers are charged with covering far more than just one school or county. The Times-News is one of many regional examples. See Hagerstown, Frederick, Westminster, Morgantown. In my experience, the smaller towns - with only weeklies as their local paper of choice - do a far better job of providing "hyperlocal" prep sports coverage (see the Moorefield Examiner, Hampshire Review, etc.).
And Richard Kerns might have had/have very valid points, I'm quite sure his opinion is biased, too.
I love, and believe in, community journalism. Many of those involved as part of a newspaper's coverage don't truly understand the role of that newspaper or the demands placed on staff time. That doesn't invalidate your concerns (or the concerns of others on this thread), but I hope you and others can try and have the perspective that you might not understand everything there is to the business.
Similarly, I'd be hard pressed to be considered an expert in the area in which you guys work. I can't be, or speak on behalf of, an engineer, a teacher, an outdoor adventure guide, etc.
Sure, I can have a relationship to each of those - from an engineer, I can learn; from a teacher, I relate my personal experience as well as those of my children; to an outdoor adventure, perhaps I'm a customer.
Media outlets have readers and those media outlets are accountable to those readers. Anyone having a concern with Times-News coverage, or lack thereof, should direct their comments to Publisher Ron Monahan or Sports Editor Mike Burke. The main number there is 301-722-4600.
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Post by frojoe23 on May 30, 2010 20:03:53 GMT -5
Just a few corrections from today's article on the Maryland State Track meet.
Northern's Terra McKenzie ran 1:01.81 for the 400 meters. The 1:03.05 listed in the paper is her seed time. Janelle Walbert's time in the 800 was 2:21.65. The 2:21.29 listed belonged to the second place finisher. Northern's Samantha Arnold threw 31-11 in the shot instead of the 31-08 listed in the article. Southern's Shane Davis was overlooked completely after a 10th place finish in the 1600 meter run in 4:45.94. The Mountain Ridge boys 4x400 meter relay team was overlooked after a 9th place finish in 3:34.95. Northern's Alex Ruff threw 111-11 in the discus. The 127-03 listed was his seed.
It' s only true journalism if it is based on facts and when you get your facts wrong it is just hapharzard reporting. It seems to me that the best way to portray how much you are doing for the publicity of running is to take the time to get your facts correct. Otherwise, it seems that you are more concerned about getting your article into the paper for yourself than for those whose names are in it.
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Post by kspradlin on May 30, 2010 20:50:57 GMT -5
I hope everyone understands I had absolutely nothing to do with the results from this year's MD outdoor track state championship getting into the newspaper. Not sure who is responsible.
So, Jaron, you can rag on the folks at the paper all you want - I'm confident that's a sure-fire way for yours emails of NG results to move to the top of their priority list. Way to represent.
Folks - if you're a parent of a runner, ask the coach to call in results. If you're a coach, please call in (or email) results in a timely manner. You'll put yourself in a lot better position if you write something up yourself in terms of both timeliness in getting published and accuracy.
and if those steps above don't seem to help, call the paper. I gave the names already and the phone number. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
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Post by kspradlin on May 30, 2010 21:00:03 GMT -5
And, Jaron, I agree that if what you posted are that many corrections, then whomever put called in those results, or the person who decided to think for themselves and put in the results, did so in a haphazard way with a poor result.
Look, we all make mistakes. Newspaper folks' mistakes are very public - are yours? But that many mistakes in a single article in which the facts are readily available on multiple online sites is, in my opinion, unacceptable. But talking about it on this message board might not do much good.
I'm sure the Times-News sports staff would be willing to talk with you about this particular set of errors and any other issue you might have.
Anyway, I was glad to see Ian's championship run in this morning. I was afraid it might take longer to be in (so if anyone did call in those results, thank you for doing so).
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Post by frojoe23 on May 31, 2010 6:13:32 GMT -5
Kevin,
I have never e-mailed any NG results to the paper. But you unavailed threat of doing whatever you can to hurt my track kids is taken and noted.
You can insult me all that you want, but once you start to bring high school kids in on it.....well, you are a giant turd!!!
If you look like a turd and smell like a turd, then guess what? Chances are pretty good that you are a turd!!!
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