AboutRichard Howland Expertise I am a master USATF Track and Field official and can answer questions about officiating high school (NFHS), college (NCAA), National (USATF) and international in field events. I am not a coach except for other officials. My specialties are the Field events except pole vault.
Experience I delight in meeting athletes from all backgrounds and ages. I have even officiated field events for a one hundred year old long jumper as well as many "Master" and "Senior" athletes. Special olympics is a great event for officials to volunteer and see the essence of good sport on the faces of the athletes.
After thirty three years as a trial lawyer in Massachusetts with a focus on sports law, among others, I retired and devote much of my time to officiating. I referee soccer, time football, officiate swimming and diving, and officiate and start all events in track and field. My special focus in field events.
In high school and college I played soccer, squash and lacrosse, but track was not available in any depth then. Since I was a lawyer I began officiating and training to officiate sports which I could fit into my schedule. I honestly do not remember when I first started track and field officiating, but estimate that I have been very active for at least fifteen years.
I regularly officiate all events and levels.
Question Is 56.3 seconds a good time for a freshman in the 400 meter dash ?
Answer Joshua:
I was going to write that it was a great time for a woman, and also for a man. In any event there is little doubt that an average lap time of 0:56.3 would be fine for most milers in college today and of course for high school it is quite fast.
I suggest that when asking a question like this that you might first look for winners of the events in championships for which you would be qualified. Virtually every major race has this information on line. You might keep in mind that not only can you get written information on line, you can print it out to show your coach and family, or anyone you choose.
For a person such as myself, I suspect that you are male and for such time I also suspect that you mean freshman in college. However, I could give you very specific information from the internet if I knew enough about you or the person for whom you are speaking (writing). I do not mind your question, but more information would help to get a more direct and complete response.
If it is your personal time, I think that you have promise with a real commitment, hard work, good coach and good health for a future in running middle distance and probably many others. Good luck. And remember you had to crawl before you could walk and walk before you could run. Successful athletes work very hard and discipline themselves more than most. It is not easy, but to great athletes it appears to be worth it. Wherever you are in the world, I suspect you are on the way, at least to the work, maybe more. Dick Howland
