WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A VARSITY AND A JUNIOR VARSITY MEET?

The team is divided into two teams following two different schedules to provide an opportunity for kids to compete against kids with similar abilities.  Time standards that are given to us by our swim league (Central Connecticut Winter Swim League) are used to help us decide how to assign the child to the appropriate meet.  This is why we have our time trials. A swimmer with all Varsity times can not swim at the Junior Varsity meets, but a Junior Varsity swimmer can swim at the Varsity meets.  If a child has a Varsity time in the freestyle only, they can swim in the Junior Varsity meet but not in any freestyle event.

HOW IS A SWIM MEET RUN?

In a Varsity meet there are 68 different events and in the Junior meet there is 46.  There are more events at the Varsity meet because all swimmers age 13 and over swim at this meet.  We first start with the 8 and under girls relay then go on to the 8 and under boys relay.  Then we go to the 9-10’s and move on to the 11-12’s and then the 13 and over relays.  We always go with girls first then the boys. Now we go on to the next event again starting with the 8 and Unders and moving up the age groups.  This goes on until all the events are complete.  The Junior Varsity meets are the same except there are no 13 and over children.

HOW LONG IS A SWIM MEET?

The meets vary in length depending on the size of the teams competing.  The average Varsity meet goes from 3 hour to 4½ hours.  The Junior Varsity meets go about 2½ to 4 hours.

HOW OFTEN CAN YOUR CHILD SWIM?

Swimmers are permitted to swim up to four events if you are in two relays.    You can swim three individual events or: one relay and two individual events.  Some swimmers will swim the maximum number of event due to their experience.  Other swimmers, newer and less experienced will be in at least three. This is not a guarantee but a guideline.

HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT EVENT MY CHILD IS SWIMMING?

Swimmers events will be posted the week before the scheduled meet on the bulletin board up in the stands of the pool.  This list will tell you by age group what your child is swimming and what lane they will be in.  Here is an example with an explanation:

SO NOW WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN?

Next to the swimmers name is the events offered for their age group.  The abbreviations stand for the following:

Med. Relay or M.R. = Medley relay - 4 swimmers who are on a relay team where each swimmer will swim one of the four strokes, in the order of back stroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle.

Free or FR = Freestyle- the length of the race varies depending on age group.

I.M.= Individual Medley- where a swimmer will swim a race using all four strokes in the order of butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle.  This event is not offered to 8 and Unders.

Back or Ba = Backstroke- Again the length of the race depends on the age group.

Breast, Brst or Br = Breaststroke - Same for the length.

Fly = Butterfly -Same for the length.

Free Relay or F.R. = Freestyle Relay- 4 swimmers who are on a relay team with each one swimming freestyle.

The marks listed in the columns next to your child’s name indicate what event they are swimming for this particular meet.  For Example:

Under the MR or FR the letter A, B, (or C) simply means which four kids will be together in this relay.  There will be four swimmers for each A, B and C relay. Under M.R. the stroke your child is swimming will be by the Letter and in the F.R. a number will be by the letter to tell you what place you will be in for this relay.

The letter X means that the swimmer is in the official heat, or the first heat.  Each     team is only allowed to enter 3 kids in the official hear that contributes towards the team points.

The number by the X is the lane number they will be in.

The letter B or C means that the swimmer is in an extra heat after the official heat.  Having extra heats allows us to make sure every child can participate in the meet. The number that is next to this letter again tells you what lane.

Jane Doe is swimming in the Medley Relay and she is doing Backstroke.  Then she will be doing Backstroke in the official heat in lane 4.  Next she is in B heat lane 5 for Breaststroke, and last she will be doing the Free style relay and she is the 2 swimmer out of the 4.

John Smith is swimming freestyle in the official heat in lane 2. Then Backstroke in the B heat, lane1.  Then he will be doing butterfly in the C heat, lane 2.

If you still have questions please don’t hesitate to ask before the meet.  During the meet I am too busy to answer too many questions.  The kids will have enough for me to handle. 

Thanks, Candice, John, and Steve