Star Ratings Explained
Learn how star ratings work, what they mean for your grade level, and how performance standards differ by academic year.
What are Star Ratings?
Star ratings (1-5★) provide a standardized way to evaluate track & field performances relative to national standards for your specific grade level and gender. A 5★ performance represents elite-level achievement for that grade, while 1★ represents solid varsity-level performance.
The Star Rating Scale
5-Star: Elite
National championship caliber. Top 1-2% of athletes in the country for your grade level. College recruiters are watching.
4-Star: Excellent
State championship contender. Top 5-10% nationally. Strong college recruiting potential.
3-Star: Very Good
Regional qualifier level. Top 20-25% nationally. On the radar for college programs.
2-Star: Good
Solid varsity level. League/district competitor. Room to grow into recruitment.
1-Star: Varsity
Varsity qualifying level. Good foundation to build on. Potential to move up with training.
Grade-Level Context is Key
The same performance can have different star ratings depending on your grade level.
Example: Boys 100m at 10.95 seconds
This is why we assign ratings by grade level - to fairly compare athletes against their peers.
How Ratings are Assigned
- Your performance is recorded with the exact date and your class year
- We calculate your grade at the time of the performance
- School year boundaries: August 1st (not calendar year)
- Example: July 31, 2026 for a Class of 2028 athlete = Sophomore year
- Example: August 1, 2026 for a Class of 2028 athlete = Junior year
- We compare to national standards for your grade, gender, and event
- A star rating is assigned based on where your performance falls
💡 Important: Star ratings are assigned based on the grade you were in when you achieved the performance, not your current grade. Your historical results keep their original ratings.
FAT vs. Hand Timing
Timing method affects star ratings for sprint events (100m, 200m, 400m):
FAT (Fully Automatic Timing)
- Electronic sensors at start/finish
- Accurate to 0.01 seconds
- Used as-is for star ratings
- Preferred by college recruiters and record books
Hand Timing
- Stopwatch timing by humans
- Less precise, reaction time bias
- Converted: +0.24 seconds added for sprints
- Example: 10.7h (hand) → 10.94 (adjusted) for star rating calculation
⚠️ Note: Hand times are accepted but will be marked as such. For the most accurate star ratings and college recruiting profile, aim to compete at meets with FAT timing.
Wind Readings & Legality
For sprints (100m, 200m) and horizontal jumps (LJ, TJ), wind conditions matter:
- Wind Legal: Wind assistance ≤ +2.0 m/s
- Counts for official records and standard star ratings
- Marked with wind reading (e.g., +1.5 m/s)
- Wind Illegal (IL): Wind assistance > +2.0 m/s
- Still tracked and displayed, but marked as (IL)
- May affect star rating calculation
- Not eligible for official records
- No Wind Info (NWI): Wind reading not available
- Treated as wind legal for star rating purposes
- Common at smaller meets
How to Improve Your Star Rating
1. Compete Often
More competitions mean more chances to PR and improve your rating. Target 8-12 competitions per season.
2. Choose the Right Events
Focus on events where you have natural talent. It's better to be 4★ in two events than 2★ in five.
3. Compete at Quality Meets
Meets with FAT timing, wind gauges, and strong competition help you achieve your best verified marks.
4. Peak at the Right Time
Early season times are good for building confidence, but championship meets are where star ratings jump. Train smart to peak for regionals, state, and nationals.
5. Update Your Profile Regularly
Submit results promptly after each meet. Keep your profile fresh for coaches and recruiters.
Star Ratings & College Recruiting
College coaches use star ratings as a quick assessment tool, but they're not the only factor:
- 4-5★ athletes: Actively recruited by D1 programs
- 3★ athletes: Strong candidates for D2/D3 and smaller D1 programs
- 2★ athletes: Potential for D2/D3/NAIA with continued development
- 1★ athletes: Walk-on potential, especially at smaller schools
✓ Remember: Coaches also consider GPA, character, work ethic, injury history, and trajectory (improving vs. plateauing). A 3★ athlete with upward momentum may be more valuable than a 4★ athlete who's peaked.
Why Ratings Change
Your current star rating may change over time for several reasons:
- New PR: You achieve a better mark, earning a higher rating
- Grade advancement: Standards increase as you move from Freshman → Senior
- Updated standards: We periodically update national benchmarks based on current data
Example scenario:
You run 10.95 as a Freshman (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐). As a Senior, if 10.95 is still your PR, your rating drops to ⭐⭐ because the standards are higher for seniors. However, your Freshman result still shows as ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ in your history to reflect that exceptional achievement.
Common Questions
Can I have different ratings for different events?
Yes! Each event has its own rating. You might be 5★ in 100m but 3★ in 400m.
Do star ratings differ for boys and girls?
Yes. Boys and girls have separate standards and are never directly compared. A 5★ girls performance and a 5★ boys performance both represent elite achievement within their respective categories.
What if I don't have a star rating?
Not all performances earn star ratings. The thresholds represent varsity-level and above. Keep training and competing - your first star is within reach!
Are indoor and outdoor rated the same?
Generally yes, though some events (like 300m indoor vs 400m outdoor) may have different standards. Indoor times are often slightly faster for distance events due to ideal conditions.
Learn More
Submit a Result
Add performances to your profile to get star ratings
View Rankings
See where you rank among your peers nationally
Still have questions?
Check our FAQ page or contact support for more information about star ratings and how they're calculated.