Our particular swim club is listed with the incorrect name. As well as a couple swimmers listed with two (but obvious same) names. How do we correct this? Is it an LSC problem or carry over from a long past naming etc.?
In our case we are listed as Duncan YMCA Riptide. 1. we have no affiliation with the YMCA, 2. I have not idea what the Duncan label is? 3. To differentiate from other riptide clubs nationally we are known as CO CAC Riptide or just CAC Riptide (CAC stands for Colorado Athletic Club.)
For one of the swimmers her last name is listed twice in some records which shows up as two different records in Swim Standards.
The 2026 NCSA Age Group Championships delivered one of the fastest meets in recent years, with 24 meet-record performances (23 new records and 1 tie) across multiple age groups and events.
Several swimmers led the way with standout multi-event performances. Elliot Leasure paced the boys 13–14 field with four meet records in the 100 back (47.84), 200 fly (1:47.36), 200 back (1:43.93), and 200 free (1:39.24). On the girls’ side, Kam Gardiner set three 13–14 records in the 200 fly (2:00.12), 200 back (1:58.64), and 400 IM (4:22.05), while Morgan Wu matched that total in the 12 & under division with record swims in the 50 fly (25.40), 100 IM (59.51), and 100 fly (56.27).
Other individual record setters included Roman Olsen, Isla Rapcan, Ryan Yao, Amelia Alsina, Caleb Goodavish, Selim Ericson, Jayden Tsai, and Hudson Labinsky, highlighting the depth of performances throughout the meet.
Relay teams also played a major role in reshaping the record book. Long Island Aquatic Club and Nova of Virginia Aquatics each posted multiple relay records, while Nation’s Capital Swim Club added a record in the boys 13–14 200 freestyle relay.
Meet Records — 2026 NCSA Age Group
Boys 13–14 100 Back — Elliot Leasure, 47.84
Boys 12 & Under 100 Breast — Roman Olsen, 1:02.32
Girls 13–14 200 Breast — Isla Rapcan, 2:14.76
Boys 13–14 200 Breast — Ryan Yao, 2:03.19
Girls 13–14 200 Fly — Kam Gardiner, 2:00.12
Boys 13–14 200 Fly — Elliot Leasure, 1:47.36
Girls 12 & Under 200 Medley Relay — Long Island Aquatic Club, 1:51.38
Girls 12 & Under 200 Free — Amelia Alsina, 1:54.25
Boys 12 & Under 200 Free — Caleb Goodavish, 1:47.38
Girls 13–14 200 Back — Kam Gardiner, 1:58.64
Boys 13–14 200 Back — Elliot Leasure, 1:43.93
Girls 12 & Under 200 Free Relay — Nova of Virginia Aquatics, 1:37.94
Boys 13–14 200 Free — Elliot Leasure, 1:39.24
Boys 13–14 100 Fly — Selim Ericson, 48.45
Girls 12 & Under 50 Fly — Morgan Wu, 25.40
Girls 13–14 400 IM — Kam Gardiner, 4:22.05
Girls 12 & Under 400 Free Relay — Nova of Virginia Aquatics, 3:37.68
Boys 13–14 200 Free Relay — Nation’s Capital Swim Club, 1:26.62
Girls 12 & Under 100 IM — Morgan Wu, 59.51
Boys 13–14 200 IM — Jayden Tsai, 1:49.36
Girls 12 & Under 100 Fly — Morgan Wu, 56.27
Boys 13–14 50 Free — Hudson Labinsky, 20.79 (tie)
Boys 12 & Under 50 Free — Caleb Goodavish, 22.43
Girls 12 & Under 400 Medley Relay — Long Island Aquatic Club, 4:00.06
Overall, the 2026 Age Group Championships showcased exceptional depth across the country. With multiple swimmers posting multi-record performances and relay teams contributing across key events, the meet produced a record book that looks very different coming out of 2026.
The 2026 NCSA Spring Championships wrapped up with a handful of standout performances, highlighted by a strong showing from Nation’s Capital Swim Club. While the meet did not see a large number of records fall, the swims that did break through were significant, with Nation’s Capital responsible for all three new meet records.
The first record came in the women’s 400 IM, where Sadie Buckley delivered one of the top swims of the meet. She touched in 4:03.07, breaking the previous meet record of 4:05.50 set by Lilla A. Bognar in 2022. In one of the deepest events on the schedule, Buckley’s swim stood out as a clear highlight of the week.
Nation’s Capital added a second individual record in the women’s 50 backstroke. Alyssa Sagle posted a 23.72 to lower the previous record of 23.95, set by Levenia E. Sim in 2022. In a tight sprint event, Sagle’s swim reset the standard and added to the team’s growing impact on the meet.
The team closed out the championships with a third record in the men’s 400 freestyle relay. Nation’s Capital combined for a 2:56.09, edging the previous meet record of 2:56.34 set by New Albany Aquatic Club in 2022. The relay performance capped off a strong week for the club across both individual and team events.
Meet Records Broken
Women 400 IM — Sadie Buckley, 4:03.07
Women 50 Back — Alyssa Sagle, 23.72
Men 400 Free Relay — Nation’s Capital Swim Club, 2:56.09
Overall, the 2026 meet may not have been defined by the number of records, but rather by the quality of the performances. With three meaningful breakthroughs and a clear presence throughout the meet, Nation’s Capital Swim Club left a lasting mark on this year’s championships.
Previously, this feature was shown as Club Swimmers. We have renamed the component to Club Roster and updated the ranking formula, so this post explains the current roster-ranking method.
Our goal is to rank swimmers using a more complete view of performance, with an emphasis on power points, depth across events, and strength of standards achieved.
What data is used
Club roster rankings are based on swims from the selected season.
We look at swimmers who have at least one USA Swimming motivational standard at the B level or higher during the selected season. For roster ranking, scoring is deduplicated by event, so each event counts only once per swimmer and only that swimmer’s best power-point score for the event is used. Age group and course do not create separate scoring events, which means versions such as 50 Freestyle SCY and 50 Freestyle LCM are treated as the same event for roster scoring.
How swimmers are ranked
Swimmers are ranked by Score, then tie-breakers:
Score = top 5 power points total
Tie-breaker 1 = best power point
Tie-breaker 2 = stronger standards profile
Final tie-breakers = performance score and total qualified events
What “stronger standards profile” means
If two swimmers have the same Score and best power point, we compare the strength of their standards profile.
A swimmer with more AAAA swims ranks ahead of one with fewer AAAA swims. If that is still tied, we compare AAA swims, then AA, then A, then BB, then B.
This helps reward not just one standout swim, but the overall quality of a swimmer’s event lineup.
Performance Score
As an additional tie-breaker, we calculate a Performance Score:
AAAA × 7
AAA × 6
AA × 5
A × 4
BB × 3
B × 2
This gives extra weight to swimmers who consistently perform at higher standards across multiple events.
Why we changed the method
Our previous club ranking approach relied more heavily on club size and on counting how many events a swimmer achieved within a selected standards range. The new method is more consistent across teams and does a better job highlighting swimmers with stronger overall performance quality.
What you see on club pages
On club roster pages, swimmers are shown in rank order based on this formula. Each swimmer row may include:
total qualified events
standards breakdown
Score
best power point
This makes it easier to understand both rank and the performance behind it.
Open to improvement
As always, we are open to feedback. Ranking swimmers is not a perfect science, and there are different ways to value depth, versatility, and peak performance. We will continue refining the experience as we learn from swimmers, parents, and coaches.
You can explore club rosters by visiting: https://swimstandards.com/clubs
Note: Viewing the full club roster is available to registered users only. Visitors who are not logged in can see the top 25 swimmers, and a free Swim Standards account is required to unlock the complete roster.
USA Swimming is expanding recognition of stroke 50s (50 Fly, 50 Back, 50 Breast) for 15–18 swimmers, following the addition of these events to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games program.
Previously, these events were only formally recognized through the 13–14 age group. With renewed national focus, USA Swimming has confirmed that National Age Group (NAG) Records will now also be tracked for:
15–16
17–18
What’s updated on Swim Standards
We’ve fully implemented support for these events across the platform:
Added 50 Fly, 50 Back, 50 Breast for 15–16 and 17–18
Integrated 2024–2028 USA Swimming time standards
Created NAG record support across SCY, SCM, and LCM
Enabled season-aware rankings validation (25–26 and beyond)
Backfilled historical swims that previously showed “NA” standards
Updated rankings data across all LSCs and stroke collections
Improved mobile display (invalid/sentinel points now show as N/A)
Result
These events are now:
Fully recognized in rankings
Properly scored with standards
Historically consistent (no more missing standards for past swims)
🔗 Learn More
👉 USA Swimming Recognized Events
👉 View Rankings
We’ll continue tracking updates as USA Swimming evolves event recognition and record policies leading into 2028.
We’ve updated the Specialty section on swimmer profiles and dashboards to give a more balanced view of event strengths across strokes and race types.
How Specialty (v2) works
This profile uses power points from your best event/course entries.
Examples:
100 Fly SCY
200 Fly LCM
We normalize the display to a fixed ceiling:
1200 points = 100%
Example: 820 points = about 68.3%
Stroke Radar
The stroke radar uses a weighted average of your top 3 entries in each stroke:
Top 1 = 1.0x
Top 2 = 0.75x
Top 3 = 0.5x
This helps reduce noise from one single standout swim and gives a more stable picture of overall specialty.
Sprint / Mid / Distance
We also show a Sprint / Mid / Distance profile using the same weighted method.
Buckets:
Sprint: 50 / 100
Mid: 200 / 400 / 500
Distance: 1000+
Data Confidence
On the radar tooltip, n means the number of valid event/course entries counted for that stroke before top-3 weighting.
If a swimmer has fewer than 5 total entries, we show a Limited Data badge to indicate the profile may shift quickly as more results are added.
Why we changed it
The goal of Specialty (v2) is to make the profile:
more stable
less dependent on one swim
easier to compare across strokes
more useful for swimmers, parents, and coaches
If you have feedback on the new Specialty profile, reply in this thread.
I researched the best electrolyte packets for the past few days because I have been focusing more on staying hydrated and maintaining energy during workouts and long days. I read reviews on Healthline, Men’s Health, and Wirecutter, and they seem to highlight these two as some of the best options:
Instant Hydration Electrolytes Powder Packets
https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Hydration-Electrolytes-Powder-Packets/dp/B0DDLXZL8C/?th=1
HydroMATE Electrolyte Powder Variety Pack
https://www.amazon.com/Electrolytes-Drink-Mix-Variety-Sticks/dp/B09GKX9J39/?th=1
However, I am having trouble deciding which one would be best for my needs. I mostly need something for daily hydration, gym workouts, and occasionally for hot weather when I feel drained.Has anyone here tried these? Which one do you think gives the best balance of taste, hydration, and electrolyte content? Any other brands you’d recommend for 2025?Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
The votes are in.
The swim community has spoken.
And we officially have a winner.
🥇 ARENA One Go Backpack 35L
Out of all three contenders in our Swim Standards “Best Swim Bag” poll, the ARENA One Go Backpack 35L earned the title of:
🏆 Swim Standards Community Favorite Swim Bag
This wasn’t based on hype.
It wasn’t based on price alone.
It was chosen by swimmers who carry their gear every single day.
👀 Why Swimmers Chose the One Go
[image: 7121FlxYZHL._AC_SL1500_.jpg]
💲 $82.50
Prices are current as of the time of writing and may vary.
The One Go stands out because it’s built specifically for swimmers — not just athletes.
🔥 What Makes It Different
Aquabreathe ventilation system to reduce moisture buildup and odor
Water-repellent fabric and bottom for protection against wet pool decks
Top-loading main compartment for easy packing
Dedicated internal laptop sleeve for school + swim balance
Three external zip pockets for separating wet and dry gear
Two elastic bottle holders
Breathable back panel for comfortable transport
Carabiner and luggage strap for meet travel convenience
This is more than just a backpack — it’s a mobile swim locker.
🏊 Why It Won
Swimmers didn’t just vote for looks.
They voted for:
✔️ Smart wet/dry separation
✔️ Ventilation that actually works
✔️ Organization for serious training
✔️ A premium build that holds up all season
The One Go blends performance, organization, and durability in a way that clearly resonated with the community.
🎒 What This Says About Swimmers
The results show something interesting:
Swimmers value gear designed specifically for swimming.
Ventilation matters.
Moisture control matters.
Structure and organization matter.
And when it comes to carrying everything from tech suits to school laptops, the One Go delivers.
🏆 Official Title
2026 Swim Standards Community Favorite Swim Bag
Winner: ARENA One Go Backpack 35L
If you’re looking for the bag most trusted by swimmers right now — this is it.
👉 Check it out here:
https://amzn.to/40lV6lw
More community gear polls coming soon.
USA Swimming publishes Maximum Sectional Time Standards to set a national cap on how fast qualifying times for Speedo Sectional meets are allowed to be. These are meet-host rules, not swimmer limits. They exist to keep Sectionals nationally consistent and accessible to the intended level of athletes.
2026 Maximum Time Standards
These are the maximum allowed cuts for 2026 Speedo Sectionals. Individual meets may use these times or slower (easier) cuts, but not faster ones. Swimmers qualify by beating their meet’s posted standards.
What “Maximum” Means
“Maximum” means the fastest (most stringent) time standard a Sectional meet may require for entry in a given event. Individual meet hosts and Zones can choose to use:
The published maximum standards, or
Slower (easier) qualifying standards
They cannot set standards that are faster than the USA Swimming maximums.
In other words:
Host rule: Meet cut time ≥ USA Swimming maximum standard
Swimmer rule: Swimmer’s time < Meet cut time to qualify
A swimmer who is faster than the maximum time standard is not excluded; they are simply well under the qualifying time and fully eligible to enter.
Why These Standards Exist
USA Swimming uses Maximum Sectional Time Standards to:
Keep Sectionals aligned with a national performance target (roughly just below Junior Nationals level).
Prevent any individual Sectional from becoming too exclusive by setting “super‑fast” local cuts.
Provide a consistent expectations framework for coaches, swimmers, and parents across all Zones.
Maximum vs. Actual Sectional Cuts
Each Sectional meet will publish its own qualifying time standards in the meet information. Those are the times swimmers actually have to beat to enter.
Maximum standards (USA Swimming):
National cap, same for all Sectionals in that season
“May not be faster than” limit for hosts
Meet/Zone standards (host):
Actual cuts used for entries
Must be equal to or slower than the maximum standards
While most Olympic swimmers qualify by achieving the official A (OQT) or B (OCT) time standards set by World Aquatics, there is another pathway called Universality places.
This rule allows countries with no qualified swimmers to still participate in Olympic swimming.
First: The Standard Qualification Path
There are two official Olympic time standards:
OQT (Olympic Qualifying Time) — the “A” standard
OCT (Olympic Consideration Time) — the “B” standard
If a swimmer achieves:
A time → Their country may enter up to two swimmers in that event.
B time only → Their country may enter one swimmer in that event, but only if no swimmer has an A time.
You can view the full list of Olympic qualifying times here:
👉 https://swimstandards.com/times/2028-olympic-qualifying-times-time-standards
What If a Country Has No A or B Swimmers?
This is where Universality places apply.
If a nation has no swimmers who have met either the A or B standard, it may still enter:
1 male swimmer
1 female swimmer
These swimmers do not need to meet the B cut.
However, they must:
Be officially entered by their national federation
Be registered with World Aquatics
Meet general Olympic eligibility requirements
Final approval is subject to overall Olympic athlete quotas.
Why Does This Rule Exist?
The Olympic Games are designed for global representation.
Without universality rules:
Only powerhouse swimming nations would compete
Many developing countries would have no athletes in the sport
Universality ensures broader international participation while preserving elite standards at the top level.
Important Limitations
Universality swimmers cannot displace A-standard qualifiers.
They typically compete in early heats.
Total athlete quotas still apply.
The rule only applies if the country has no qualified swimmers.
Summary
Situation
Can the Country Send a Swimmer?
Has A time
Yes (up to 2 per event)
Has only B time
Yes (1 per event, if no A swimmer)
Has no A or B time
Yes (1 male + 1 female via Universality)
Bottom Line
Most Olympic swimmers qualify by hitting the A standard.
Some qualify with the B standard.
And in limited cases, countries without any qualifying times may still send swimmers through Universality places.
That’s how Olympic swimming balances world-class performance with global participation.
The Olympic swimming qualification system uses two official time standards established by World Aquatics:
OQT (Olympic Qualifying Time) — commonly called the “A” standard
OCT (Olympic Consideration Time) — commonly called the “B” standard
🥇 OQT — “A” Standard
The A standard is the automatic qualifying time.
Swimmers who achieve the OQT at an approved competition are eligible for Olympic selection.
Each country may enter up to two swimmers per event who have achieved the A standard.
Final selection is made by the swimmer’s national federation (e.g., USA Swimming through Olympic Trials).
In major swimming nations, Olympic teams are almost exclusively composed of swimmers who have achieved the A standard.
🥈 OCT — “B” Standard
The B standard is a consideration time.
A country may enter one swimmer per event with a B time only if no swimmer from that country has achieved the A standard in that event.
Entries using B times are subject to overall athlete quotas set by World Aquatics.
B times are typically used by smaller federations to ensure broader international representation.
Key Notes
Times must be achieved during the official qualification window.
Performances must occur at World Aquatics–approved competitions.
The A standard is set at a level approximating world-class performance, while the B standard allows expanded participation.
📊 View Official 2028 Olympic Time Standards
You can see the full list of event-by-event A and B standards here:
👉 https://swimstandards.com/times/2028-olympic-qualifying-times-time-standards
Resources
Mobile‑friendly qualifying times:
https://swimstandards.com/times/2026-iasi-short-course-championships-time-standards
📍 Wellmark YMCA – Des Moines, IA
📅 February 26 – March 1, 2026
🏊 Hosted by Des Moines Swimming Federation
The 2026 Iowa Swimming Short Course Championships are set for four days of championship racing in Des Moines. This meet is sanctioned by USA Swimming and IASI and will feature both 13–14 and Senior divisions.
Meet Format
• Thursday evening: Distance events & relays (timed finals)
• Friday–Sunday: Morning prelims / Evening finals
• A & B Finals (Top 16 back in finals)
• Special seeding format for 1000 & 1650 Freestyle
Eligibility
• Must be current USA Swimming & IASI registered athlete
• Must meet published 2026 IASI Q-Time standards
• Bonus events allowed under meet rules
Entry Deadline
🗓 Friday, February 20, 2026 – 12:00 PM
Entry Fees
• $10 Individual
• $14 Relay
• $4.50 IASI surcharge per swimmer
• Outreach swimmers: $5 total
Awards & Recognition
🏅 Top 8 medals (individual)
🏆 High Point awards (individual & team)
🏆 Traveling Team Trophy
⭐ IASI Sportsmanship & Spirit Award
🎓 Senior Coaching Staff of the Year
Spectators
🎟 $30 All-Session Wristband
🎟 $10 Daily Pass
Download the full official meet announcement (PDF)
As part of our recent move to a Single Sign-On (SSO) system, some forum usernames were automatically regenerated to ensure they are unique across the Swim Standards platform.
If your username was changed, no action is required — your account and data are unaffected.
You can now update your username anytime:
Log in to your account at https://swimstandards.com/account
Go to the Your Info section
Edit your username
If you run into any issues or cannot change it to your preferred name, please reach out and we’ll assist.
Thank you for your patience during the transition.
What’s the Best Swim Bag?
The bag you carry every day matters.
It holds your tech suits.
Your goggles.
Your caps.
Your snacks.
Your recovery gear.
Maybe even your homework.
We’ve selected three 35L swim backpacks that dominate pool decks everywhere.
Let’s meet the contenders.
🥇 Nike Swim 35L Repel Backpack (Black)
[image: 61LXLggsE4L._AC_SL1200_.jpg]
💲 $55.95 (35% off)
Prices are current as of the time of writing and may vary.
A sleek, athletic option built for durability and organization.
🔥 Why Swimmers Like It
Abrasion-resistant waterproof bottom
Water-resistant wet pocket to separate gear
Large side pockets for bottles & accessories
External hanging loops for wet suits and tags
3D foam back panel for comfort
Hidden laptop sleeve
Fleece-lined pocket for goggles & sunglasses
🏊 Best For
Swimmers who carry tech + gear
Daily practices + school combo
Athletes who want comfort + clean design
🥈 ARENA One Go Backpack 35L
[image: 7121FlxYZHL._AC_SL1500_.jpg]
💲 $82.50
Prices are current as of the time of writing and may vary.
A premium swim-specific backpack designed with ventilation in mind.
🔥 Why Swimmers Like It
Aquabreathe ventilation system
Water-repellent bottom and main fabric
Top-loading design for easy packing
Dedicated laptop sleeve
Three external zipped front pockets
Two elastic bottle holders
Breathable back panel
Includes carabiner + luggage strap
🏊 Best For
Serious competitive swimmers
Athletes who need strong wet/dry separation
Swimmers who prioritize ventilation
🥉 Speedo Teamster 35L Backpack
[image: 91WxkqF0HRL._AC_SL1500_.jpg]
💲 $53.39 (40% off)
Prices are current as of the time of writing and may vary.
One of the most recognizable swim bags in the sport.
🔥 Why Swimmers Like It
Tough abrasion-resistant exterior shell
Premium YKK zippers
Webbing loops + D-ring for accessories
Hidden ventilated front pocket for wet gear
🏊 Best For
Club and high school swimmers
Heavy daily pool use
Swimmers who want a proven classic
🏊♂️ Why This Poll Matters
Your swim bag is your mobile locker.
It needs to:
Survive chlorine and moisture
Keep wet and dry gear separated
Carry everything without breaking down
Stay comfortable when fully packed
🗳️ Which One Is The Best?
Vote based on:
What you use
What you see most on deck
What actually holds up through the season
Drop your vote and share it with your team.
🥇 Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Mirrored
Out of all the contenders in our Swim Standards Goggle Poll, the Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Mirrored earned the title of:
🏆 Swim Standards Community Favorite Goggles
This wasn’t decided by marketing.
It wasn’t based on price.
It wasn’t chosen by a brand.
It was chosen by swimmers.
🗳️ Why Did Swimmers Choose the Vanquisher 2.0?
There’s a reason you see these everywhere — from age group meets to championship finals.
[image: 71BNH0Xxz-L._AC_SL1500_.jpg]
🔥 What Makes Them Stand Out
Mirrored lenses that reduce glare in bright indoor pools and outdoor meets
Panoramic underwater vision for strong peripheral awareness
Anti-fog coating for clear sight from warm-up to final
UV protection for outdoor swimming
Cushioned silicone gasket for a secure, leakproof, comfortable fit
They strike the perfect balance between:
✔️ Racing performance
✔️ Daily training durability
✔️ All-day comfort
✔️ Trusted reliability
🏊 Why This Matters
Swimming is a sport built on routine and trust.
When you step behind the blocks, you don’t want to think about your goggles.
You want:
No leaks
No fog
No distractions
The Swim Standards community made it clear:
The Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Mirrored is the pair swimmers trust most.
👓 What This Says About Swimmers
The results show something interesting:
Swimmers don’t just chase the newest or flashiest gear.
They choose what works.
They choose what lasts.
They choose what performs under pressure.
And time after time, the Vanquisher 2.0 delivers.
🏆 Official Title
2026 Swim Standards Community Favorite Goggles
Winner: Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Mirrored
If you haven’t tried them yet, now you know why they dominate pool decks everywhere.
👉 Check them out here:
https://amzn.to/4cAxUHr
Thank you to everyone who voted and shared the poll.
More community gear votes coming soon.
Resources
Mobile‑friendly qualifying times:
https://swimstandards.com/times/2026-pvs-junior-olympic-championships-time-standards
Official meet announcement (PDF):
https://www.pvswim.org/2526meet/26-88-ma2.pdf
The PVS 2026 SC 14 & Under Championships will take place March 12–15, 2026 at the University of Maryland, Eppley Recreation Center (College Park, MD). Sanction # PVS-26-88.
Host: Tollefson Swimming
Format: Prelims/finals for most events; distance (11–12 & 10&U 500 free, 14&U 1000/1650 free, 13–14 800 free relay) as timed finals. 11–14 prelims run in two courses (separate boys/girls); 10&U prelims on the shallow course alternating girls/boys; all finals in the shallow course.
Age groups: 10 & Under, 11–12, 13–14, plus 12&U and 14&U combined events where noted.
Eligibility
Open to PVS-registered athletes only.
Swimmers compete in their own age group based on age on March 12, 2026.
Must have SCY or LCM qualifying times achieved on or after March 3, 2024 in USA Swimming–sanctioned, observed, or approved meets.
Swimmers may not enter an event they are swimming at the 2026 PVS Short Course Open Championships.
No NT or converted times; SCY is conforming, LCM is non‑conforming and seeded after SCY.
Entry Limits & Key Rules
Max 6 individual events for the meet, no more than 3 per day.
Most 10&U events have 1 heat at finals; 11–12, 12&U, 13–14, 14&U events have 2 heats (“B”, then “A”) at finals.
11–12 & 10&U 500 free and 14&U 1000/1650 free are timed finals; distance swimmers must provide their own timer/counter except when swimming those events in Sunday finals.
Positive check‑in required for all events 400y and up, all mixed relays, and the 13–14 800 free relay; Sunday 1000 free check‑in is due Saturday 6:30 pm.
Entry Deadlines
Team entry deadline: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 5:00 pm (no event changes after this).
Late entries (new swimmers/new events): allowed until Monday, March 10, 2026, 12:00 pm with surcharge ($150/club + 2× event fee).
Daily Session Schedule
Thursday, March 12 – Distance Timed Finals
Warm‑up 4:30–5:20 pm; events 5:30 pm
13–14 800 free relay, 11–12 500 free, 14&U 1650 free (all positive check‑in; fastest to slowest, swimmers provide timer/counter).
Friday & Saturday, March 13–14
11–14 prelims: Warm‑up 7:00–8:20 am; events 8:30 am
10&U prelims: Warm‑up 12:40–1:20 pm; events 1:30 pm
Finals: Warm‑up 4:30–5:20 pm; events 5:30 pm
Includes age‑grouped 50s, 100s, 200s, IMs, 400 IM, 500 free, 200/400 medley and free relays, plus mixed‑gender 400 free relay (Fri finals) and 200 medley relay (Sat finals).
Sunday, March 15
11–14 prelims: Warm‑up 7:00–8:20 am; events 8:30 am
10&U prelims: Warm‑up 12:40–1:20 pm; events 1:30 pm
Finals: Warm‑up 4:00–4:50 pm; events 5:00 pm
Mixed‑gender 200 free relays to start finals; 14&U 1000 free and 10&U 500 free as timed finals with top 8 in finals, plus remaining strokes by age group.
Relays (Key Points)
Single‑gender relays: up to 3 teams/club/event, 2 can score; all single‑gender relays are timed finals in prelim sessions.
Mixed‑gender relays:
Swum at the start of finals (Fri 400 free, Sat 200 medley, Sun 200 free).
1 team per club; each relay must be 2 boys + 2 girls; swimmers must already be entered in the meet individually or on a qualified single‑gender relay.
Mixed relays swim fastest to slowest; positive check‑in closes at the end of the relevant 11–14 prelim session.
Scoring & Awards
Individual scoring: 20–17–16–15–14–13–12–11–9–7–6–5–4–3–2–1.
Relay scoring: 40–34–32–30–28–26–24–22–18–14–12–10–8–6–4–2.
Medals: 1st–8th for individual events, 1st–3rd for relays.
High Point awards for 10&U, 11–12, 13–14 (male & female), based on individual events only; winners receive an embroidered PVS High Point Jacket.
Fees & Spectators
Per swimmer surcharge: $10.00
Individual event: $12.50
Relay event: $20.00
Late relay‑only athlete fee: $20.00
Spectator passes: $20 all‑session, $5 per session; siblings free.
Meet will be on Meet Mobile; programs posted on the PVS site; separate parking document with day‑by‑day details and purchase links will be provided by PVS.
Download the full official meet announcement (PDF)
Resources
Mobile‑friendly qualifying times:
https://swimstandards.com/times/2026-pvs-short-course-open-championships-time-standards
Official meet announcement (PDF):
https://www.pvswim.org/2526meet/26-85-ma2.pdf
The PVS 2026 Short Course Open Championships will take place March 5–8, 2026 at the University of Maryland, Eppley Recreation Center (College Park, MD).
Sanction: USA Swimming / Potomac Valley Swimming, Sanction # PVS-26-85
Host: Patuxent Aquatic Club
Format: Prelims/finals for most events, with Thursday distance as timed finals; finals run in a single 25-yard course.
Eligibility:
Open to all PVS-registered athletes and invited USA Swimming athletes.
Athletes must have achieved published qualifying times in USA-Sanctioned, observed, or approved meets since February 24, 2024.
Swimmers may not enter events they are swimming at the 2026 PVS 14 & Under SC Championships.
Key Dates & Deadlines
Entry deadline (teams to Entry Chair): Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 5:00 pm
Late entry deadline (extra fees apply): Monday, March 2, 2026, 12:00 pm (noon)
Session Schedule
Thursday, March 5 – Timed finals
Warm-up: 4:30–5:30 pm
Events: 5:40 pm (1000 free; positive check-in by 5:00 pm; swimmers provide own timer and counter)
Friday, March 6 – Prelims & Finals
Prelims warm-up: 7:00–8:20 am, events: 8:30 am
Finals warm-up: 4:30–5:30 pm, events: 5:40 pm
Includes 50 back, 200 free, 100 breast, 100 fly, 400 IM, 800 free relay (check-in for 400 IM & 800 FR: Thursday 6:10 pm).
Saturday, March 7 – Prelims & Finals
Prelims warm-up: 7:00–8:20 am, events: 8:30 am
Finals warm-up: 3:20–4:20 pm, events: 4:30 pm
Includes 50 fly, 200 breast, 50 free, 100 back, 500 free, 200 free relay (prelims), 400 medley relay (finals).
Sunday, March 8 – Prelims & Finals
Prelims warm-up: 7:00–8:20 am, events: 8:30 am
Finals warm-up: 3:20–4:20 pm, events: 4:30 pm
Includes 50 breast, 200 back, 100 free, 200 fly, 200 IM, 200 medley relay (prelims), 400 free relay (finals), 1650 free (positive check-in by Saturday 5:00 pm; swimmers provide own timer and counter).
Entry Limits & Extras
Max 7 individual events per swimmer for the meet, no more than 3 per day.
Bonus swims allowed (up to 2 bonus events if qualified in at least one event), with specific rules for distance and 500/400 IM bonus entries.
SCY is conforming; LCM is non-conforming and seeded after SCY; no NT entries accepted.
Fees
Per swimmer surcharge: $10.00
Individual events: $12.50 each
Relay events: $20.00 each
Time trials: $15.00 per attempt (limit 1 per session, 2 for the meet; must be entered in at least one individual event).
Other Notes
Meet will appear on Meet Mobile; programs posted on the PVS website.
Spectator passes: $20 all-session, $5 per session; siblings and Thursday distance session are free.
Standard USA Swimming rules, MAAPP, and PVS policies (no deck changes, no behind-the-block photography, etc.) apply.
For full details (qualifying times, event-by-event order, positive check-in rules, officials and timer requirements), please refer to the official PVS meet announcement PDF.
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