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- The MeenaMethod Mission Statement -
To provide a statistically objective lens for swimming and the broader Metric Sport audience.
- A Letter From The Author -
Hi, Reader,
This is Elliot Meena. I am the author and chief visionary of the MeenaMethod. I also grew up a swimmer and am a self-proclaimed SwimScout who always had a fascination with sport stats. Whether it was collecting baseball cards or swimming heat sheets, if numbers were involved, I wanted to know how they ranked.
But early on, I appreciated that stats were not just about outcomes, they were also about inputs. I knew that variables producing the outcomes, such as stroke counts and intervals, should also be measured. At the time, though, I just did not know how to conduct those measurements.
As my swimming career ended and my professional career in financial services evolved, I started to see the similarities between swimming and the relative metrics used in the financial capital markets. Benchmarks and ratios have been used as indicators for years in the capital markets, so I wondered what it would be like to introduce them into Metric Sports.
I dabbled in spreadsheets over the years any time an interesting race occurred, particularly when it came to breaking records. Finally, once enough numbers had been crunched, I was able to wrap my head around the entire framework of measuring the inputs and outputs of swimming and other Metric Sports. I aptly dubbed this framework, the MeenaMethod.
Generally speaking, the MeenaMethod is an ulterior dimension that focuses on the relative performances of sports. Specifically speaking, the MeenaMethod is a framework for measuring and analyzing Metric Sports.
My first publication was in 2014. Since then, I have completed a total of 22 publications. Some of the publications are intended to be educational or instructional, but many of them were just fun to analyze and write (at least for me).
Now I certainly do not proclaim to be a professional writer, and I will also be the first to admit that my style and prose have changed over time. On the flip side, though, I will say that my curiosity never waned, and I kept writing over the course of eight years because I wanted to cover every topic that came into my mind. During that time, I tried to keep the theme of my publications focused on objective sports stats, but admittedly some subjective opinions are scattered throughout the content.
And that brings us too today (June 2022). This collection is essentially Volume 1 of the MeenaMethod publications. While many posts are related, this volume is structured chronologically from 2014 through 2022. Please also note that all performances (e.g., times, weights, distances) referenced are as of the date of the publication. Furthermore, all data (in Excel) available upon request.
In closing I will say that, all along my goal was to entertain an audience that appreciates the analysis of sports measured in distance, time, and weight (i.e., Metric Sports). As to whether I accomplished that goal, I guess that is up to you.
So, on that note, I hope you enjoy!
Elliot Meena
OUTLINE
This Volume 1 of the MeenaMethod publications is structured into two parts and six total categories:
Part 1 – The MeenaMethod Framework
The MeenaMethod Framework: four (4) publications that lay out the framework of how to define, measure, analyze, and score Metric Sport performances.
The MeenaMethod Case Studies: four (4) publications portraying practical uses of the MeenaMethod framework that provide tailored results with objective precision.
Relative Race Strategies: four (4) publications outlining the relative race strategies for collegiate and international swimmers across a 10-year period
Note: two of these publications include exhibits that can be found in the appendix
Part 2 – The Fun, Educational, and Personal Publications
Fun: for the most part, these are the five (5) publications that got me started. Typically focused on one race or one athlete, these publications allowed me to put my thoughts together into what eventually would become the MeenaMethod framework.
Educational: two (2) sports math publications focused on the similarities between Metric Sports and the financial capital markets
Personal: three (3) publications that involve me on some personal level, whether as a participant or a spectator.
Below, there is an index listing of all the publications with related commentary.
PUBLICATIONS
Part 1 - The MeenaMethod Framework
Category 1 - MeenaMethod Framework
A numerical example of how, under select circumstances, better does not always mean faster, or farther, or heavier.
Date Published: April 16, 2018
Pages: 2
Category: MeenaMethod Framework
A decision tree that identifies categories for sports that are scored with similar statistical methodologies.
Date Published: April 22, 2019
Pages: 10
Category: MeenaMethod Framework
Rethinking Performance Methodology in ‘Objective’ Sport
An introduction to the MeenaMethod in the form of a comparison against the scoring methodologies used by the NCAA and FINA for swimming performances.
Date Published: November 4, 2018
Pages: 10
Category: MeenaMethod Framework
An outline of the framework and math that makes up the MeenaMethod.
Date Published: May 19, 2019
Pages: 12
Category: MeenaMethod Framework
Category 2 - MeenaMethod Case Studies
This publication determines some of the greatest NCAA D1 Championship swims in history as we spin the swims on their side and look at them from a MeenaMadness (ahem, Method) perspective.
Date Published: May 26, 2020
Pages: 18
Category: MeenaMethod Case Studies
Scoring the High School Swimming All-Americans
A ranking of the best high school performances and schools using three objective scoring scenarios.
Date Published: July 16, 2020
Pages: 12
Category: MeenaMethod Case Studies
The Zero-Sum Gamification of Metric Sports
Metric Sports have never successfully been gamified, until now. This publication looks at how the 2019 International Swimming League season unfolded using a zero-sum game scoring methodology.
Date Published: August 5, 2020
Pages: 24
Category: MeenaMethod Case Studies
A Relative Approach to Interval Training
Interval training is a very common approach for structuring fitness workouts. This publication attempts to quantify the impact of measuring intervals against tailored benchmarks, such as a swimmer’s T-3000 pace.
Date Published: May 26, 2022
Pages: 12
Category: MeenaMethod Case Studies
Category 3 - Relative Race Strategies
Building a Relative Race Strategy
An analysis of the race strategies for every 100-SCY and 200-SCY event from the 2010 – 2014 NCAA D1 Swimming Championships, both Female and Male.
Date Published: April 21, 2014
Pages: 4 (plus appendix of 188 slides)
Category: Relative Race Strategies
Relative Race Strategies for SCY Swimming
An analysis of the race strategies for every 100-SCY and 200-SCY event from the 2010 - 2019 NCAA D1 Swimming Championships, both Female and Male.
Date Published: June 29, 2019
Pages: 12
Category: Relative Race Strategies
Relative Race Strategies for LCM Swimming
An analysis of the race strategies for every 100-LCM and 200-LCM event from select competitions between 2010 and 2019 for both Female and Male swimmers.
Date Published: July 31, 2019
Pages: 12
Category: Relative Race Strategies
A relative look at who benefited the most from the “fast suit” era in swimming.
Date Published: June 15, 2014
Pages: 4 (plus appendix of 34 slides)
Category: Relative Race Strategies
Part 2 - The Fun, Educational, and Personal Publications
Category 4 - Fun
Diving into the Statistical Analysis of Swimming
Metric Sports (i.e., those measured in distance, time, or weight) are perfect for statistical analysis, and swimming is no exception. This introductory publication presents a new, relative, window for which Metric Sports can be viewed.
Date Published: January 17, 2014
Pages: 4
Category: Fun
Like an airplane on autopilot, Michael Phelps knows his formula for success in the 100 LCM Butterfly.
Date Published: May 1, 2014
Pages: 2
Category: Fun
An analysis of the 1500 LCM Freestyle races for Sun Yang and Ryan Cochrane at the 2012 Olympics and 2013 World Championships.
Date Published: June 15, 2014
Pages: 4
Category: Fun
Caeleb Dressel is Raising the Bar
Statistical proof that Caeleb Dressel dominated the 2016 SEC Swimming & Diving Championships.
Date Published: February 23, 2016
Pages: 2
Category: Fun
Daiya Seto is Finding His Rhythm
Another best time for Daiya Seto who is honing his race strategies and making waves in the progress. He now ranks third all-time in the 200 LCM Butterfly.
Date Published: January 21, 2020
Pages: 4
Category: Fun
Category 5 - Educational
Sports math examples of the relative similarities between Metric Sports and the financial capital markets.
Date Published: April 24, 2022
Pages: 32
Category: Educational
It is no secret that swimming is getting faster. But by how much? This publication determines the swimflation rates of NCAA Division 1 Swimming Championships from 2010 through 2022.
Date Published: May 9, 2022
Pages: 14
Category: Educational
Category 6 - Personal
When it comes to swim-offs, I am batting 0%. This is how those two races unfolded.
Date Published: June 9, 2020
Pages: 4
Category: Personal
An appreciation piece to four swimmers (and five tennis players) regarding the greatness they have shown sports fans for over a decade.
Date Published: July 16, 2021
Pages: 12
Category: Personal
I grew up racing against Ryan Lochte and then became his roommate at the University of Florida. This is a reflection on my 25+ year friendship with one of the greatest swimmers in history.
Date Published: May 27, 2022
Pages: 6
Category: Personal
APPENDIX
All publications authored by Elliot Meena
Copyright 2022, all rights reserved
Email info@meenamethod.com for any questions or comments
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