• Announcements regarding our community.

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    We have recently made updates to the way National time standards are organized on Swim Standards to enhance clarity and user experience.

    What’s Changed?

    Separation of National Motivational Times: We’ve moved the National motivational times to a separate page, so the original National time standards page now focuses exclusively on national-level meets like the National Championships, Speedo Junior Nationals, and the TYR Pro Championships.

    Why the Change?

    As Swim Standards continues to grow, we aim to make it easier for users to find the information they need. By separating national-level meet time standards from motivational times, we’re making it clearer where to find event-specific standards versus general motivational benchmarks. This change ensures that swimmers, coaches, and parents can quickly locate the time standards that are most relevant to their goals.

    Understanding the Labels:

    On the National time standards page, you’ll now see each meet labeled with one of the following statuses:

    Upcoming: Events that are happening very soon, usually within the next few weeks or months. Scheduled: Events that are planned for next year or beyond. Completed: Events that have already happened.

    These labels will help you track which events are relevant for the current season and which ones you may want to plan for in the future.

    Thank you for being a part of the Swim Standards community, and we hope this update improves your experience!

  • Explore the following frequently asked questions about SwimStandards

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    A user recently asked:

    "I was just curious about what criteria you use to rank club swimmers and list the AA+ athletes."

    This is a great question! Here’s an explanation of how we determine our rankings:

    Performance Standards and Club Size

    We use USA Swimming’s motivational time standards (e.g., “B”, “BB”, “A”, “AA”, “AAA”, “AAAA”) to evaluate swimmers. The size of the club plays a role in determining which standards are considered:

    Smaller Teams: We evaluate swimmers across a wider range of standards, from “B” to “AAAA”. Larger Teams: The focus shifts towards top performers, particularly swimmers who meet the higher “AAA” and “AAAA” standards.

    The range of standards used is determined by the number of members in the club:

    25 or fewer members: All swimmers are listed. 100 or fewer members: All standards, from "B" to "AAAA", are considered. 101 to 150 members: Standards from "BB" to "AAAA" are used. 151 to 250 members: Only "A" through "AAAA" standards are considered. 251 to 400 members: The range is narrowed to "AA" through "AAAA". 401 to 650 members: The focus is on "AAA" and "AAAA" swimmers. More than 650 members: Only swimmers who achieve the highest standard, "AAAA", are evaluated.

    By adjusting the range of standards based on club size, we ensure that top performers are highlighted while still recognizing a broader range of swimmers in smaller clubs.

    Event Performance
    Swimmers are ranked based on the number of events in which they meet the relevant standards for the season being checked. Only a swimmer’s best performance in each event is considered. Comparable Short Course Yards (SCY) and Long Course Meters (LCM) events (e.g., 100 SCY Freestyle and 100 LCM Freestyle) are considered separate events. The more events they make, the higher they rank.

    This ensures that a swimmer's consistent performance across multiple events is rewarded.

    Seasonal Evaluation
    The event performance evaluation is based on the specific season being checked. Rankings reflect how swimmers performed during that season, keeping the results accurate and timely. Each season can have significant differences in a swimmer’s performance, so we ensure that the rankings reflect the most recent data.

    Open to Improvement
    While this method helps us recognize top swimmers, we’re always open to feedback! If you have any ideas on how to improve the ranking system, feel free to share your suggestions.

    Check the top swimmers in your club by visiting: https://swimstandards.com/clubs and searching your club by name or abbreviation.

  • A place to talk about whatever you want.

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    If you're involved in competitive swimming, you’ve probably come across Hy-Tek's Meet Manager, Team Manager, or the Meet Mobile app. But how do these tools work together, and what role does Active Network play in all of this? Here's a breakdown of how these platforms fit into the swimming world and how they’re interconnected.

    1. Active Network: The Parent Company

    In 2007, Active Network acquired Hy-Tek, a leading provider of software solutions for managing swim meets and teams. By bringing Hy-Tek into its portfolio, Active Network aimed to provide a comprehensive suite of tools for organizing sports events. Later, Active Network also acquired Meet Mobile, which allowed the company to create a seamless experience for swim meet organizers, swimmers, coaches, and spectators.

    2. Hy-Tek: The Backbone of Swim Meet Management

    For decades, Hy-Tek's Meet Manager has been the go-to software for running swim meets. From creating event heat sheets to managing entries and calculating results, Meet Manager is an indispensable tool for meet directors.

    Team Manager, another Hy-Tek product, helps swim teams manage their rosters, track swimmer performance, and handle entries for upcoming meets. After a meet, results are imported into Team Manager, updating each swimmer's personal bests and tracking their progress over time.

    Together, Meet Manager and Team Manager serve as the backbone for competitive swimming teams and meet organizers worldwide.

    3. Meet Mobile: Real-Time Access to Swim Meets

    Meet Mobile is a mobile app that allows swimmers, coaches, and spectators to follow swim meets in real-time. Whether you're checking heat sheets, viewing results, or tracking a swimmer's performance, Meet Mobile brings swim meets to your fingertips.

    Before the integration with Hy-Tek, meet organizers had to manually upload meet data to Meet Mobile. However, after Active Network acquired both Hy-Tek and Meet Mobile, the platforms became closely integrated. Now, Meet Manager can publish results directly to Meet Mobile, providing real-time updates as the meet progresses—no manual uploads required.

    4. How They Work Together Meet Manager is used to run the meet, create heat sheets, and record times. Team Manager manages swimmer data, team rosters, and post-meet performance tracking. Meet Mobile gives the public access to real-time meet data, including heat sheets, live results, and event rankings.

    Thanks to Active Network’s acquisition of both Hy-Tek and Meet Mobile, the swimming community now benefits from an end-to-end solution that handles everything from meet setup to live result tracking.

    5. Why This Matters to the Swimming Community

    For meet organizers, the integration between these platforms has streamlined the process of running swim meets. There’s no longer a need to manually export and upload meet results; it’s all done automatically through Meet Manager. Swimmers and parents now have real-time access to heat sheets, swimmer times, and placements via Meet Mobile, making it easier than ever to stay informed.

    By combining the power of Hy-Tek and Meet Mobile, Active Network has created a complete ecosystem for competitive swimming. This integration helps swim meets run more efficiently, providing a better experience for everyone involved—from swimmers to spectators.

    Conclusion:

    The relationship between Active Network, Hy-Tek, and Meet Mobile has revolutionized the way swim meets are managed and experienced. Whether you’re a coach, swimmer, or parent, these tools make the process of organizing and participating in swim meets smoother and more connected than ever before.

  • Unleash Your Aquatic Style: Dive into the Discussions!

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    Hey fellow swimmers and water enthusiasts!

    Are you in need of top-quality swimwear and swim gear? Look no further than Swim Shop! It's the ultimate destination where you can find a curated collection of high-quality swimming essentials, featuring reputable brands and currently on sale at Amazon.

    Why should you visit Swim Shop? Here are a few compelling reasons:

    Curated Amazon Collection: Swim Shop brings you a carefully curated collection of swimwear and swim gear, featuring top brands known for their quality and performance. Rest assured that you'll find products with a good reputation and backed by positive customer reviews.

    Fantastic Deals on Amazon: Swim Shop highlights products that are currently on sale on Amazon, offering you the opportunity to snag some incredible deals. Save money while getting the best swimwear and swim gear for your needs.

    Wide Range of Swimming Essentials: From tech swimsuits and training jammers to swim caps, goggles, backpacks, kickboards, snorkels, mesh bags, water bottles, and more, Swim Shop has got you covered. Explore their extensive selection and find the perfect gear to enhance your swimming experience.

    Trusted Brands: Swim Shop features products from well-known and trusted brands in the swimming industry. You can shop with confidence, knowing that you're getting high-quality swimwear and swim gear from reputable manufacturers.

    So, whether you're a competitive swimmer, a dedicated fitness enthusiast, or someone who loves spending time in the water, Swim Shop is your go-to destination for swimwear and swim gear that offers both quality and affordability.

    Don't miss out on the opportunity to explore their collection of swimwear and swim gear currently on sale at Amazon. Visit Swim Shop today and dive into a world of high-quality swimming essentials.

    Happy swimming and gear up for unforgettable aquatic adventures with Swim Shop!

  • Dive into the latest news and events on swimming around the USA.

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    Heads up, swimmers and swim fans!

    The 2025 Futures Championships are scheduled for July 23-26, 2025, and this year’s competition will take place at multiple sites across the country. This event is a great chance for rising talent to shine and for teams to come together in some amazing venues.

    Here are the locations:

    Greensboro, N.C. - Greensboro Aquatic Center Justin, Texas - NISD Aquatic Center Madison, WI - Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center Ocala, Fla. - Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training (FAST) Sacramento, Calif. - North Natomas Aquatic Center

    2025 Time Standards is Here!

    We’ll be posting more information as the date gets closer, including event schedules, and other key details. Stay tuned for updates!

    Feel free to share your thoughts, questions, or just hype up the event below. Let’s get ready for some fast swims!

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  • The simple guide to all things swimming.

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    The United States has a rich tradition of swimming competitions at the national level, providing a platform for swimmers of all ages and abilities to compete on the biggest stage. These events are organized by USA Swimming, the national governing body for competitive swimming. Over the years, there have been several key national meets, each catering to different levels of competition. Here’s a breakdown of the main national-level swim meets in the USA:

    USA Swimming National Championships (a.k.a. "Nationals")

    The USA Swimming National Championships, often referred to simply as "Nationals," is the premier competition for elite swimmers in the U.S. This annual event is held in the summer in a long-course (50-meter) pool, drawing the nation’s top athletes. Many Olympic swimmers use this event as a stepping stone to international competitions.

    Sponsorship History: From 1973 to 2023, Philips 66 was the title sponsor of the Nationals, marking a 50-year partnership with USA Swimming (source). Despite this long sponsorship, not all editions were called the Philips 66 National Championships. The event is also referred to as the USA Swimming National Championships or simply Nationals, especially in years when there is no title sponsor.

    Changes Over Time: In the past, there were two national meets annually: a Spring Nationals (short course, 25 yards) and a Summer Nationals (long course, 50 meters). As recently as 2007, these dual meets were held, but today only the summer Nationals remains. In some years, Nationals also serves as the USA Olympic Trials or World Championships Trials (source).

    2024 Change: USA Swimming combined its Summer Nationals and Junior Nationals into one meet, called the 2024 Speedo Summer Championships. This adjustment streamlined the competition calendar for that year.

    Toyota U.S. Open

    The Toyota U.S. Open is another top-tier national competition that typically takes place in late fall or early winter. What makes the U.S. Open unique is that it is open to international teams/swimmers, offering foreign athletes the chance to compete against the top American swimmers.

    History: The U.S. Open Swimming Championships were first held in 1985 and were held annually in December through 2006. Since 2007, the event has generally been held in early August during years when the U.S. Nationals are not held in August, or when the Nationals are closed or partially closed to foreign swimmers. This change coincided with the return of the USA Short Course Nationals in December (source).

    Purpose: The U.S. Open serves as a key competition for swimmers aiming to qualify for international events like the Olympics, World Championships, or Pan Pacific Championships. The time standards for this meet are slightly more relaxed than for Nationals, making it more accessible to a broader range of high-level swimmers, including international competitors.

    Annual Event: Currently, the U.S. Open is held annually, typically in late fall or early winter, sponsored by Toyota.

    Speedo Junior National Championships

    The Speedo Junior Nationals is specifically designed for junior swimmers (typically 18 years old and under) and takes place during the summer in a long-course (50-meter) pool. This meet provides young, rising swimmers with a platform to compete at the national level, and for many, it serves as a stepping stone to senior-level competitions like Nationals or the Olympic Trials.

    Sponsorship: Speedo has been the title sponsor of the Junior Nationals for many years, cementing its place as a crucial developmental event for young athletes.

    2024 Change: In 2024, USA Swimming merged the Summer Junior Nationals with the Summer Nationals into the Speedo Summer Championships, consolidating both competitions into one event.

    Winter Junior Nationals: There is also a Speedo Winter Junior National Championships, which is held in short-course yards (SCY) format. This meet occurs later in the year and provides another opportunity for junior swimmers to compete on a national level. You can learn more about the differences between the Speedo Junior National Championships and the Winter Junior Nationals in this post on Swim Standards.

    TYR Pro Swim Series

    The TYR Pro Swim Series (PSS) is an annual series of competitions designed for elite swimmers, including Olympians and national team members. These events take place at different times and locations throughout the year, offering swimmers multiple chances to race against top competition.

    History: The Pro Swim Series was formerly known as the Speedo Grand Prix. It consists of 7 meets held in either short course yards (SCY) or long course meters (LCM). Swimmers compete in both Olympic and non-Olympic distances, but only Olympic distances count toward points and prizes (source).

    Points & Prizes: First place earns 5 points and $1,000, second place earns 3 points and $600, and third place earns 1 point and $200. The swimmer with the most points by the end of the series wins a $10,000 bonus. While any swimmer of any nationality can compete in the Pro Swim Series, some swimmers may not be eligible for certain prizes (source).

    Sponsorship Change: In 2017, the title sponsor Arena stepped down, and TYR took over as the title sponsor beginning in 2018 (source).

    Here's the updated section in markdown format:

    TYR Pro Championships

    The TYR Pro Championships is a separate event from the Pro Swim Series and serves as a high-level competition for elite swimmers. It typically takes place in early August in a long-course meters (LCM) format. For example, the 2025 TYR Pro Championships will be held from August 5-8 in Irvine, California (source).

    No 2024 Event: Notably, there was no TYR Pro Championships in 2024, likely due to the Olympic Trials, but the event will resume in 2025.

    Conclusion

    USA Swimming organizes a wide array of national-level competitions, each serving different purposes and athlete groups. From the elite National Championships to the developmental Junior Nationals and the highly competitive Toyota U.S. Open and TYR Pro Swim Series, these events are integral in shaping the careers of America’s top swimmers. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer, a junior athlete looking to make your mark, or simply a fan of the sport, these meets showcase the best talent that U.S. swimming has to offer.

  • Got a question? Ask away!

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    Hi Coach Matt,

    We’re excited to let you know that we just added this feature! 🎉 You can now view IMX Scores per Team directly on the rankings page. Simply select your LSC from the main dropdown, pick your team from the new dropdown, and the rankings will update instantly—right on the same page!

    Let us know how it works for you. 😊

    Imx4.png

  • Technical notes on the website's development.

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