CHAMPIONSHIPS MEETS

Championships Meets

One of our goals is to qualify as many swimmers as possible for the Championship meet(s). Whether attendance is REQUIRED or OPTIONAL, the Championship meet is a special experience and extremely important in the athletes development.

As our season progresses, all of the swimmers get excited and motivated to “go for a State cut”. Unfortunately, some of the swimmers do not have the consistent practice habits nor the USS meet experience to make the cut, yet, through an extremely psyched swim and a lot of desire, they do the time. Because they don’t have the practice and meet experience, the swimmer will probably not repeat the time at the Championship meet. They really don’t belong there.

As an Age Group swimmer, our swimmers learn they swim faster at the Championship meet than at any other time during the season. They are prepared for this; they are taught this; we practice this. If a young swimmer goes to the Championship meet and is not properly prepared, the experience is negative and can affect other championships later in his/her swimming career.

We, as coaches, believe that the honor of competing in a Championship meet is earned through consistent practice habits and competitive experience at USS swim meets. There’s a big difference between “wanting” to go to the championship and “deserving” to be at the championships. Talent plays a supporting role to commitment.

To insure that all of our swimmers are properly prepared for their championships:

1.                  Meet attendance and participation through out the entire season is important. USS meets offer the experience necessary for the championships.

2.                  Practice habits must be within our recommendations for the group with which the swimmer trains. “Consistency” is the key word.

The State Championship is not ultimate goal. It is a seasonal goal that should lead to Zones, Sectionals Championships, Junior & Senior Nationals, and beyond.

The goal is to be as prepared as possible and perform to the best of one’s ability at the meet. Sometimes swimmers and parents get the “end” and the “means” mixed up.

Swimmers are special people and deserve to have positive experience as rewards for their dedication and commitment. Let’s make sure that parents, swimmers, and coaches, are laying the foundation for the best possible experience at the Championship meet.