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Water Jump GuidanceDecember 31, 2004
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Long-time fans of the steeplechase should remember the strategy of Henry Marsh, who qualified for the USA Olympic team four times; he usually stayed behind the pack until late in the race to avoid heavy traffic at the water jump. A barrier and pit, only 3.66m (12 feet) wide, are not inviting and their inconsistent placement from one meet to another adds confusion. Novice steeplers can confound the entire process by slowing down instead of speeding up at the water.
On 11 April 2003 Carre Joyce of Villanova missed the first water jump barrier at Sea-Ray Relays and was disqualified. At the Stanford Invitational on 27 March 2004 Kristi Cangiamilla of Chico State was crowded out of the 3.66m runway and was then disqualified; but an hour later her coach prevailed in a discussion that led to her reinstatement.
Although DQs have been included for years in steeple results, they drew little notice until 15 July 2004 when Briana Shook of Toledo was disqualified for missing a water jump at the USA Championships where she was a favorite to win. That led to speculating about what officials might do if a steepler turned around and tried again to negotiate a missed water jump. (Rules state that an athlete who misses shall be disqualified.) Athletes and coaches wanted to know what they could expect from trying again.
This situation was discussed at the recent annual meeting of USA Track and Field by the USATF Rules Committee and committee chair John Blackburn has shared what happened when those attending, including visitors, participated in an informal vote:
"When presented with the scenario if Shook had gone back and cleared the water jump (without impeding any other competitors) would you have disqualified her? the straw vote of about 30-1 stated they would not have disqualified her. ... It was the committee's opinion that the rule was clear and that a change was not needed."
The USATF rules committee has provided valuable guidance for athletes, coaches, and officials. And considering how much assistance is given by officials to athletes in other stadium events, Steeple Report reminds all that steeplers approaching a water jump need channeling and direction via cones or flags -- plus signals from on-site officials. |
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