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:

• You will notice that the relays have "A" and "B" by the stroke your child will swim. The "A's" will be swimming together and the "B's" will swim together.

• "NT" just means I have No Time for that event yet.

• The "Y" after the time means Yards.

• If you see a "B", "BB", or "XX" this just means you are in the Extra or Bonus heats. There sometimes are heats 2,3 or more from both teams in certain events. Since we can only put three swimmers from our team up against the other team, I use extra heats to get times for all the swimmers in as many events as I can.

• Remember the Line Up can change at the last minute due to illnesses and other unforeseen events.

Windsor Water Rats Card

• On this card you will see the Event No. which the Starter announces before each event.

• The Heat or Bonus (it can be 2 or 3 or even more), with the lane you will be in.

• Along with your name and age you will notice on the bottom what your childs swim is or was.

•     FR - Free

•     BK - Back

•     BR - Breaststroke

•     FLY - Butterfly

•     FrR - Freestyle Relay

•     MR - Medley Relay

• Then the distances of either 25, 50, 100, 200 yards (we never do 400's) for that swim.

• Then you see the all important times. Usually there are three and we take the middle time for your child's swim.

• I give back these cards after I enter them into the computer so you can keep track of the progress.

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