General Meet Information
Meet Events
There are 70 events in each meet (not including Shrimps). Each event consists of a specific stroke (or combination of strokes) for each age group. The number of heats depends on the number of swimmers entered in the event. All swimmers entered in an event swim that event. All meets (except the All-Star Meet) use the following distances:
ages 10 & under – one full length of the pool (25 meters)
ages11-18 – two full pool lengths (50 meters)
The one exception to the distances above is the Individual Medley (“IM”), which is offered for ages 9 & up. The IM is four full lengths of the pool (100 meters), one length for each stroke. There is one IM heat for each gender in each age group beginning with 9 & up. The stroke order for the IM is: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle.
Not to be confused with the IM is the Medley Relay, which is a 4-person relay event. The Medley Relay is also four full lengths of the pool for 9-10’s (each swimmer swimming a different stroke for one pool length, or 25 meters), and eight lengths for all swimmers 11-18 (each swimmer swimming a different stroke for two pool lengths, or 50 meters). The order of the Medley Relay is: Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Freestyle. The Freestyle Relay is also a 4-person event with lengths of the pool determined by age group as listed above.
The relays are a great way to get the whole team involved in the races and bring swimmers in each age group closer together to cheer on their teammates. The Freestyle Relays, which occur at the end of each meet (or session, as applicable), are often the most exciting part of the meet!
Coaches decide what events each swimmer will swim. For each meet, coaches will “seed” the swimmers, meaning swimmers will be placed in heats for their events based on their recorded best times. All swimmers are permitted to swim up to a maximum of three individual events, plus two relays, for a maximum total of five events in each meet. Shrimps will swim one length of freestyle, and if able, possibly may be asked to swim one length of backstroke.
All-Star Meet distances are the same as above, except distances are in yards rather than meters. More on that below.
The events and their order are as follows:
- Freestyle – 6 & Under (all 6 & under swimmers, known as “Shrimps”, are done with their meet swims after this event*)
- Freestyle Relay – all age groups starting 8 & unders
- Freestyle – all age groups starting with 8 & unders
- Backstroke – all age groups starting with 8 & unders
- Individual Medley – only for age groups 9 & up
- Breaststroke – all age groups starting with 8 & unders
- Butterfly – all age groups starting with 8 & unders
- Freestyle Relay – all age groups starting 8 & unders
- Medley Relay – all age groups starting with 8 & unders
* In certain circumstances, Shrimps may "swim up" with 7 & 8 year olds. Coaches will discuss that with parents before entering Shrimps in those events.
Meet Scoring
Team points are awarded for the top four finishers in each individual event (not each heat) for each age group. Points can be scored from any heat, as the fastest four times count, no matter the heat. No points are awarded for Shrimp events (6 & under). The points awarded during a dual meet are:
Individual
1st Place 5 points
2nd Place 3 points
3rd Place 2 points
4th Place 1 point
Relay
1st Place 10 points
2nd Place 6 points
Only “A” relay teams may score points in relay events. If an “A” relay team is DQ’d, the swim team receives no points for that relay (i.e., no points are ever awarded to “B” or “C” teams, even if they beat an “A” team). In the event of a tie, the points for the applicable place finish, plus the immediately following place finish, are added together and divided by 2. For example, if there is a tie for 1st Place in any individual event, each swimmer gets 4 points (5 points + 3 points, divided by 2 = 4 points), and the next fastest swimmer is awarded 2 points for 3rd Place.
Ribbons – Ribbons are awarded for individual events, 1st through 8th place, and for relays, 1st and 2nd place. At all dual meets:
ALL 6 & under swimmers (Shrimps) will receive participant ribbons
Heat winner ribbons will be given for ALL 10 & under individual events (not relays)
NOTE – No ribbons are awarded for 15 & up events
Meet Scratches
If your swimmer is no longer able to swim after entry period has closed, please communicate this to the team ASAP via email [email protected]. This is extremely important to make sure relay teams are able to participate and to make the meet run smoothly and efficiently. This simple curtesy will help meet efficiency tremendously!
All Star Meet
The All-Star Meet for the South Park Swim League is usually held at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center (MCAC) in uptown. The All-Star Meet is usually the last Wednesday or Thursday before the week of July 4th. The CSRC All-Star Team is chosen by the coaches and is based on times from the season. A swimmer must compete in a minimum of two (2) meets to be eligible for the All-Star Team. There are no Shrimp events at the All-Star Meet; however, a shrimp may age up to swim in an 8 & Under event if qualified.
Please note: NOT ALL SWIMMERS WHO MAKE THE ALL-STAR TEAM WILL SWIM AT THE ALL-STAR MEET. League rules require each team to have alternates for each event so our All-Star Team consists of participants AND alternates. Some alternates may not swim, but their presence is important for our team and they are still members of the All-Star Team.
