Buckle Up, Buttercup: Your Guide to Conquering Illinois Top Times!
So, you're a high school track and field titan in Illinois, and you've set your sights on the prestigious Illinois Top Times meet. Well, buckle up, because this ain't your average weekend jog in the park. This is the Super Bowl, the Kentucky Derby, the Olympics (well, almost) of indoor track for Illinois! But fear not, fearless flyer, for this guide will equip you with the knowledge to not only qualify, but to dominate the competition (or at least not trip over the starting blocks).
 |
| How To Qualify For Illinois Top Times |
Step 1: Prove You're Worthy (Without the Flaming Sword)
Unlike King Arthur, you won't need to pull a sword from a stone to qualify. But you will need to compete in an indoor track meet between January 1st and March 18th of this year. That's right, folks, there's a time window, so mark your calendars and unleash your inner cheetah!
Here's the super important part: Your lightning-fast times need to be recorded using a FAT timing system. Basically, it's a fancy way of saying those times need to be super accurate. No winging it here!
Step 2: Embrace the Power of Direct Athletics (It's Not Just Another Jock)
Once you've scorched the track (metaphorically, of course), your results need to get to the good folks at Illinois Top Times. This is where Direct Athletics swoops in like a superhero (or maybe a really fast track coach).
There are two ways to play this game:
QuickTip: Skim the ending to preview key takeaways.
- The Meet Director Does the Heavy Lifting: If you're lucky, the meet director might already be using Direct Athletics and your times will be uploaded automatically. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!
- You Become a Data Entry Dynamo: If not, you (or more likely, your coach) will need to manually submit your times through Direct Athletics. Don't worry, it's not brain surgery, but make sure you have all the details like event, time, date, and meet name.
Remember: You've got until March 18th at 10:00 PM to get those times in, so don't procrastinate like a true champion (cough).
Step 3: Patience is a Virtue (Especially When Waiting for Results)
Once you've submitted your times, take a deep breath and try not to F5 the Illinois Top Times website every five seconds. It can take 3-7 days for them to update the system, depending on how many aspiring track stars are out there.
Pro Tip: Use this waiting period to visualize your victory dance. Trust us, it'll make the wait a whole lot more fun.
You've Qualified! Now What?
Congratulations, superstar! You've officially earned your bragging rights and a spot at the Illinois Top Times. Now it's time to train like a beast, strategize like a chess grandmaster, and prepare to leave your competition in the dust (figuratively, of course).
Tip: Don’t skim past key examples.
Bonus Round: Illinois Top Times FAQs
How to find upcoming indoor track meets in Illinois?
 |
There are a few resources you can use, like athletic association websites or searching "Illinois High School Indoor Track Meets".
How do I know if a meet uses a FAT timing system?
QuickTip: Use posts like this as quick references.
Usually, meet information will mention the type of timing system used. If unsure, contact the meet director directly.
Can anyone submit results to Illinois Top Times?
Nope! Only the head coach of your high school track program can submit results.
What if my time from a 55-meter race needs to be converted to a 60-meter time?
Tip: Read once for gist, twice for details.
Illinois Top Times uses the USATF conversion table, which Direct Athletics automatically handles. No extra math for you!
I missed the deadline to compete and submit times. Am I doomed?
Unfortunately, yes. But don't fret! There's always next year. Use this time to train even harder and come back stronger!
 |
