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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!

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.

When it comes to elite youth swimming competitions in the United States, both the Speedo Junior National Championships and the Winter Junior Nationals stand out as prestigious meets. However, they differ in key aspects, such as timing, course type, and event structure. Here’s a breakdown of the main differences between these two events:

Time of Year & Course Type

Speedo Junior National Championships: This meet is held in the summer and takes place in long-course meters (LCM). Swimmers compete in 50-meter pools, which is the Olympic standard. Winter Junior Nationals: Held in the winter, this meet is swum in short-course yards (SCY), where the pool length is 25 yards. Short-course competitions tend to feature faster races due to more frequent turns.

Qualifying Times

Junior National Championships: Qualifying for this meet requires faster times compared to Winter Junior Nationals. Since it’s a long-course event, the standards reflect the international focus and higher. Winter Junior Nationals: While still elite, the qualifying standards for this meet are slightly more lenient than those of the summer meet, making it more accessible to a broader group of top youth swimmers.

Here is the comparison of 2024 Speedo Winter Junior Championships Time Standards vs 2025 Speedo Junior National Championships Time Standards

Age Limitations

For both meets, swimmers must be 18 years old or younger as of the first day of competition, making them truly junior events focused on developing youth talent.

Bonus Events

Both competitions allow swimmers to enter bonus events if they qualify for at least one main event. However, these bonus events come with separate time standards, allowing athletes to compete in additional races without needing to meet the primary qualifying time for each event.

Meet Structure

Speedo Junior National Championships: This is a single national event, gathering top junior swimmers from across the U.S. in one location. Winter Junior Nationals: The winter meet is split into two regions—East and West—allowing more swimmers to compete while minimizing travel distances. This regional split creates two highly competitive meets, each crowning its own champions.

Pathway to Higher-Level Competitions

Speedo Junior Nationals often serves as a stepping stone to even higher-level national and international meets for swimmers. Performances here may qualify athletes for U.S. Nationals or international competitions like World Junior Championships.

Conclusion

In summary, the Speedo Junior National Championships is a more exclusive summer event in long-course format, catering to swimmers with faster times and higher aspirations in international swimming. The Winter Junior Nationals, on the other hand, offer more widespread participation through two regional meets and a short-course format, ideal for building experience and achieving national-level success in the winter season.

Both meets play pivotal roles in the development of young swimmers aspiring to reach the pinnacle of competitive swimming.

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!

October 2024

10/21/2024

2025 PVS Short Course Junior Championships Time Standards 2025 PVS Short Course Senior Championships Time Standards

10/20/2024

2025 National Championships Time Standards 2025 TYR Pro Championships Time Standards Reorganization of National Time Standards

10/17/2024

2025 Futures Championships Time Standards 2025 Speedo Junior National Championships Time Standards

10/16/2024

2024 Riley Eaton Holiday Invitational Time Standards

10/15/2024

2025 PVS Junior Olympic Championships Time Standards​

As swimmers and coaches prepare for meets, one interesting strategic decision comes up for long-distance freestyle events like the 1000y and 1650y freestyle. The 2025 PVS SC Junior Olympics Qualifying Times note gives swimmers the option to enter these events either with their fastest time (seed time) or with the time standard if they are also entered in two or more events on the same day.

So, how do you decide which option is best? Let’s break down the strategies behind choosing seed time vs. standard time in your entry.

The Context: 1000y and 1650y Freestyle

These long-distance events are often physically taxing, especially if you're already entered in multiple events that day. For example, if you’re swimming several sprints or mid-distance races earlier, you might want to conserve energy for those events. The PVS SC JO rule gives you some flexibility with how you enter the distance freestyle events, which opens the door for some strategic thinking.

When to Use Your Seed Time

Using your fastest time generally places you in heats with swimmers who are at a similar competitive level, but it also means you’re committing to race at your best. Here’s when you might choose this option:

Focus Event: If the 1000y or 1650y freestyle is one of your primary events at the meet, you'll want to enter with your seed time to ensure you're competing at the top level. Racing against swimmers of a similar speed can push you to perform better, and faster heats often have better pacing. Confidence in Your Stamina: If you're confident in your conditioning and feel that the multiple events won't wear you down, you’ll likely want to use your seed time. This shows you're ready to go all-out in the long-distance race, no matter how many events you’ve swum that day. Chasing a Personal Best: If you're gunning for a personal record (PR) or an important milestone time, entering with your seed time is the way to go. The competition in faster heats can drive you to push yourself, and you'll likely find more swimmers pacing at your level.

When to Use the Standard Time

On the flip side, using the standard time gives you a bit of breathing room and can place you in a more relaxed heat. This option is particularly useful if you’re swimming several events that day. Here’s when it makes sense to choose the standard time:

Energy Management: If you're swimming two or more events on the same day, conserving energy might become crucial. By entering with the standard time, you’re placed in a slower heat where the competition may not be as fierce, allowing you to cruise through the distance freestyle event while saving energy for your more important races. Prioritizing Other Events: If your focus is on sprint or mid-distance events like the 100 Free or 200 IM, and the distance freestyle is more of a secondary event for you, the standard time is a smart choice. This way, you can complete the distance race without draining your stamina for your primary events. Recovery Time: The long freestyle events can take a toll on your body. Using the standard time might help you avoid the intensity of the faster heats, giving you a chance to swim at a controlled pace and still qualify without exhausting yourself for the rest of the meet.

The Fine Line: Balancing Competitiveness and Energy

Ultimately, the decision comes down to what your goals are for that particular meet:

Are you aiming to hit the podium in the 1000y or 1650y freestyle? Then you’ll want to use your seed time and go all-in. Are you using the long-distance freestyle event as more of a secondary or "filler" event in your schedule? Then opting for the standard time is a solid choice, allowing you to focus your energy on your priority races.

This rule, as stated in the 2025 PVS SC JO Qualifying Times, offers flexibility to tailor your meet strategy based on your strengths, energy levels, and event focus. Swimmers and coaches should weigh the benefits of a competitive heat versus the need to conserve energy—especially when swimming multiple events on the same day.

Have you used this strategy before?

What’s your take on choosing seed time versus standard time in distance events? Share your thoughts and experiences!

Love this website - one of the nicest places to track my swimmer's times online. Cool that you also support MCSL -- any consideration of adding NVSL as well?

If there's a meet that had some incorrect data that has since been fixed, is there a process for having the fixes reflected here? The meet I'm referencing is this one: https://swimstandards.com/meets/2023-pv-fish-lc-derby_2023-05-06

The 2025 Short Course Texas Age Group Swimming (TAGS) Championships will be held from March 20-23, 2025, at the prestigious Texas A&M Natatorium in College Station, TX. This exciting event will bring together some of the top age-group swimmers from across the state to compete in a wide range of events, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and relays.

Meet Details:

Location: Texas A&M Natatorium, College Station, TX Dates: March 20-23, 2025 Host LSC: West Texas Swimming

This is a championship-level meet that will feature the best young swimmers in the region. Athletes who meet the qualifying standards will have the opportunity to compete in individual events, as well as relays, with the chance to showcase their skills and aim for personal bests.

Qualifying Time Standards:

To participate in the 2025 SC TAGS Championships, swimmers must meet specific time standards for their age group. Both qualifying and bonus standards are available.

You can view the full time standards for the 2025 SC TAGS Championships here:
👉 2025 SC TAGS Championships Time Standards

Important Meet Information:

Eligibility:

Age Limits: Swimmers must be between the ages of 10 & Under, 11-12, and 13-14. Time Standards: Athletes must have achieved the required time standards in a sanctioned, approved, or observed USA Swimming meet. BONUS EVENTS: Swimmers who qualify for one event may enter up to two additional events in which they have achieved the bonus standard.

Entries:

Entry Deadline: All entries must be submitted by Monday, March 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM. Entry Process: Entries must be submitted through USA Swimming’s OME system (Online Meet Entry). Entry Fees: Individual events: $12.00 per event Relay events: $24.00 per relay Swimmer surcharge: $30.00 per swimmer

Facility Information:

Location: Texas A&M Natatorium, College Station, TX Pool: Indoor facility with two 25-yard pools for warm-ups and competition. Spectator Seating: Large seating capacity available for spectators.

Warm-ups and Sessions:

Thursday, March 20, 2025: Warm-up: 4:00 PM Session Start: 5:30 PM Friday, Saturday, Sunday (March 21-23, 2025): Morning Preliminaries: Warm-up starts at 7:00 AM, with the session beginning at 8:30 AM. Finals: Warm-ups for finals begin at 4:30 PM, and the finals session starts at 6:00 PM.

Scratch Procedures:

Preliminaries are pre-seeded, and scratches must be made 30 minutes prior to the start of each session. Finals: Athletes who qualify for finals must declare their intention to scratch or compete within 30 minutes of the preliminary results being posted.

Scoring and Awards:

Scoring: Individual events will score top 16 places: 20, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 9, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points. Relay events score double: 40, 34, 32, etc. Awards: Medals: Awarded for top 8 individual and relay finishers. Team Trophies: Awarded to the top 3 teams in both men’s and women’s categories. High Point Awards: For the highest-scoring individual swimmer in each age group (boys and girls).

Relays:

Each team may enter two relays per event. Relay swimmers must be entered in at least one individual event to participate in relays.

This meet is an opportunity for swimmers to compete at the highest level within their age group and represent their teams in a high-stakes environment. Parents, coaches, and swim fans are encouraged to come support these talented young athletes.

For more information, download the official meet announcement here:
👉 2025 SC TAGS Meet Announcement (PDF)

USA Swimming offers a range of open water events, primarily covering various distances depending on the age group and competition level. Here are some of the most common open water events recognized by USA Swimming:

5K (5 kilometers) One of the standard distances for open water competitions. Common at the national and international levels, including age group competitions. 10K (10 kilometers) The Olympic distance for open water swimming. Featured in major events like the FINA World Championships and the Olympic Games. 7.5K (7.5 kilometers) Typically used in junior and youth competitions. Popular for age groups under 18 at the national level. 2.5K (2.5 kilometers) Often used in age group competitions for younger swimmers or introductory open water events. 1.25K (1.25 kilometers) A shorter distance used in youth or beginner competitions. 1K (1 kilometer) Usually for novice or beginner swimmers to introduce them to open water swimming. 25K (25 kilometers) Ultra-distance open water event. Usually featured in major international open water championships like the FINA World Championships.

Age Group Open Water Events:

10 & Under: Events typically range from 1K to 2.5K. 11-12 Age Group: Events range from 2.5K to 5K. 13-14 Age Group: Competitions include distances of 5K and sometimes 7.5K. 15 & Over: These swimmers compete in 5K, 10K, and in some cases, 25K events.

Championship Events:

USA Swimming hosts open water national championships where events like the 5K and 10K are standard, but distances can vary depending on the competition (e.g., Junior Nationals, Olympic Trials).

These events are often held in natural bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, or the ocean, with courses typically laid out in loops or straight paths.

When your swimmer registers with USA Swimming, they are assigned a unique 14-character ID. This ID is essential for meet entries, team databases, and tracking progress in USA Swimming events. The ID is always 14 characters long and normally written in all capital letters. Here’s a breakdown of how the ID is generated and what has changed with the new system as of September 2020.

The USA Swimming ID Format (Pre-2022)
The original USA Swimming ID format consists of 14 characters and is generated using the following information:

First 6 digits: The swimmer's birth date (MM/DD/YY). Next 3 letters: The first three letters of the swimmer's legal first name. Next letter: The swimmer's middle initial (if none, this space is filled with an asterisk "*"). Last 4 letters: The first four letters of the swimmer's last name. If the last name has fewer than four letters, asterisks (*) are used to fill the missing spaces.

Example:
For James Arthur Gray, born on April 15, 2005, the ID would look like:
041505JAMAGRAY

For swimmers with shorter names, the ID is padded with asterisks.
Example:
Lily Jo (without a middle initial) would have the ID:
MMDDYYLIL*JO**

USA Swimming’s New ID System (Post-2022)

In September 2020, USA Swimming introduced a new registration system through the USA Swimming DeckPass portal. This new system creates an entirely different member ID for swimmers, coaches, officials, and non-athlete members. If your swimmer registered before 2022, they must create a new registration and merge their old account with the new one.

The new USA Swimming ID is assigned during the registration process through either the USA Swimming DeckPass system or your club’s team website.

How to Find Your New USA Swimming ID
To access the new USA Swimming ID, follow these steps based on your platform:

USA Swimming DeckPass:

Go to the USA Swimming website and log in with your username and password. Click “My Member Cards” to view your membership card. Under your name, you will see your unique Member ID.

Always use your swimmer’s full, legal name and correct birth date during registration. If you encounter any issues, feel free to reach out to your team’s admin for assistance.

The USA Swimming ID is essential for ensuring proper meet entries and keeping team records consistent, so make sure to keep it handy and verify it across all systems.

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.

If you’ve worked with swim meet data, you’ve likely encountered a variety of file formats used by different meet management systems. These formats are essential for transferring entries, results, and swimmer data between platforms like Hy-Tek's Meet Manager, Team Unify’s TouchPad, and others. Let's break down the common file formats and standards, and clarify their roles in managing swimming data, especially in relation to SwimCloud's requirements.

1. SDIF (Standard Data Interchange Format) What it is: SDIF is the underlying standard or protocol that defines how swimming data should be structured and exchanged between systems. It includes details like swimmer information, times, event data, and more. This standard ensures that different software systems can communicate with each other consistently. Purpose: SDIF is a universal format for exchanging swimming data, primarily between systems like USA Swimming’s SWIMS database and meet management software. File Types: The .sd3 and .hy3 file formats are specific implementations that follow the SDIF standard. 2. .sd3 (Standard Data File) What it is: The .sd3 file format is used to export and transfer meet data (entries and results). It's based on the SDIF standard and is one of the primary formats for submitting meet results to systems like USA Swimming. Purpose: Primarily used to transfer meet results and swimmer performance data from meet management systems. Supported By: Systems like Hy-Tek’s Meet Manager, SwimTopia’s Meet Maestro, and Team Unify’s TouchPad export .sd3 files. Note: In some cases, .sd3 is used as a generic reference to results files that follow the SDIF standard, but depending on the software, the actual file type might be .hy3. 3. .hy3 (Hy-Tek Results File) What it is: .hy3 is a proprietary format developed by Hy-Tek for use within its own ecosystem (e.g., Meet Manager and Team Manager). It contains detailed meet results and swimmer performance data, including splits, disqualifications, and rankings. Purpose: Used to store and share meet results for import into Hy-Tek’s Team Manager and to update swimmer performance data. Supported By: Hy-Tek’s Meet Manager and Team Manager. Is .sd3 the same as .hy3?: While .sd3 and .hy3 both follow the SDIF standard for formatting meet data, .sd3 is a more generic format used by multiple platforms, while .hy3 is specific to Hy-Tek software. Therefore, they are not exactly the same, though both serve similar purposes in meet data management. SwimCloud may accept .hy3 as equivalent to .sd3 when dealing with Hy-Tek files. 4. .cl2 (Hy-Tek Team Manager File) What it is: The .cl2 file is another proprietary format from Hy-Tek, primarily used for team roster and entry data, though it can also include meet results. While it is exported by Meet Manager, it's often referred to as a Team Manager file because it is used by Team Manager to update rosters and entries. Purpose: .cl2 is used to transfer team rosters, swimmer entries, and sometimes results between Team Manager and Meet Manager. Usage: Primarily for sharing entry data before the meet, but it can also be used post-meet to update results in Team Manager. 5. Other File Formats Supported by SwimCloud

SwimCloud, a popular data platform for swimmer performance tracking, accepts several file types for meet results submission. Here’s what they support:

Active Hy-Tek’s Meet Manager: (Zipped .cl2 and .sd3 files) Team Unify’s TouchPad: (Zipped .sd3 files) SwimTopia’s Meet Maestro: (Zipped .sd3 files) Lenex Meet Manager: (.len files) Splash’s Meet Manager: (.xml files) 6. Clarification on Zipped .cl2 and .sd3 Files

SwimCloud mentions they accept Zipped .cl2 and .sd3 files. This is not a typo. Here's why:

.cl2 contains team entry and roster data, which is essential for identifying all swimmers and teams involved. .sd3 or .hy3 contains meet results. If you're using Hy-Tek, your results file may be .hy3 instead of .sd3, but both follow the SDIF standard for exchanging meet data. SwimCloud likely accepts .hy3 from Hy-Tek users because it serves the same function as .sd3 in the broader context of results submission.

By zipping both files together, SwimCloud ensures they receive all the necessary data for the meet, including both swimmer rosters and results from all participating teams. This aligns with their requirement that results must include data from all teams in the meet, not just single-team results.

Conclusion:

While it can be confusing due to the variety of file formats in use, understanding the differences between SDIF, .sd3, .hy3, and .cl2 is key to managing swim meet data effectively. Platforms like Hy-Tek, SwimTopia, and SwimCloud work with these formats to ensure smooth data exchange between meet management software and performance tracking systems.

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.

We are excited to announce that the 2024-2028 USA Swimming Motivational Times have been added to Swim Standards, just in time for the new 2024-2025 season, which starts on September 1, 2024. These updated standards will be reflected in the meet results and rankings you see on our platform for the upcoming season.

What Are Motivational Times?

USA Swimming’s motivational time standards provide benchmarks for swimmers 18 and under, helping them set performance goals and measure their progress. These standards, ranging from B to AAAA, serve as targets for swimmers at different levels of competition, guiding their journey toward improvement.

Effective Date: September 1, 2024

As is typical, the motivational times will take effect at the start of the short-course season on September 1, 2024, aligning with the new swimming season. The previous standards (2020-2024) officially ended on August 31, 2024.

What’s New in the 2024-2028 Quad?

In addition to updated individual time standards, the 2024-2028 motivational times introduce relay time standards for the following events:

200 Free Relay 400 Free Relay 800 Free Relay 200 Medley Relay 400 Medley Relay

These new relay standards will offer additional benchmarks for teams and help swimmers set new goals for relay events.

For younger swimmers, many times have been adjusted slightly slower, particularly following the ban on tech suits for athletes aged 12 and under. These updates reflect ongoing changes within the sport to ensure the standards remain relevant.

Why Do These Standards Matter?

In addition to helping swimmers set personal goals, these time standards are often used as qualifying criteria for local and regional meets. They provide a valuable reference point for swimmers, coaches, and parents, helping them track performance and ensure swimmers are prepared for competitions.

You can view the full set of updated motivational times on Swim Standards by both age group (10 & under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, and 17-18) and individual ages from 10 to 18.

We encourage everyone to explore these new benchmarks and use them as a guide to set new goals and track progress as we enter the 2024-2025 season. Good luck, swimmers!

As many of you may have heard, SwimmingRank has recently decided to sunset its website. For the past 15 years, SwimmingRank has been an invaluable resource for swim families across the country, providing rankings, meet results, and insights into swimmers’ performance. It’s sad to see such a well-loved platform come to an end, especially for those of us who have relied on it to track our swimmers’ progress over the years.

With Swimming Rank no longer available, I understand that many of you may be looking for alternative websites to continue accessing swimmer rankings and meet results. That’s why I want to introduce you to Swim Standards – a platform I created with the same goal of helping swim families access useful, accurate, and timely swimming data.

What is Swim Standards?

Swim Standards is a comprehensive resource for tracking time standards, meet results, swimmer profiles, and rankings across all age groups. As a swim dad myself, I built Swim Standards out of the desire to make swimming information more accessible and user-friendly, especially after finding that many existing platforms were either cumbersome to use or didn’t provide the kind of insights I needed for my kids.

Key Features of Swim Standards:

Rankings: Explore swimmer rankings by age, event, and course, with filtering options by region. Meet Results: Track swimmer performance across various meets, with detailed best times. Time Standards: Access the latest time standards for USA Swimming and other major swim leagues. Swimmer Profiles: Monitor swimmer progression over time and compare their performance across multiple events.

Why Swim Standards?

While Swim Standards may not be as well-known as Swimming Rank, I’m committed to maintaining and growing this resource for the swimming community. It’s a passion project that I update regularly, and I’ve received rewarding feedback from swim families who find the data useful in tracking their swimmers’ performance.

If you’re one of the many users looking for an alternative to Swimming Rank, I encourage you to give Swim Standards a try. I believe you’ll find it just as helpful, if not more so, for tracking your swimmer’s progress and staying up-to-date with rankings and meet results.

How to Get Started:

Simply visit www.swimstandards.com to explore swimmer profiles. You can search by swimmer name, team, or LSC to track their performance and progress. I’m also open to suggestions and feedback to make the platform even better for swim families.

In the absence of SwimmingRank, I hope Swim Standards can become a go-to resource for you, just as Swimming Rank once was.

Thank you for your support, and happy swimming!

When swimmers compete at higher altitudes, the reduced oxygen levels can affect their performance, often resulting in slower times compared to those swum at sea level. To account for this, many organizations apply an altitude adjustment to the times, which compensates for the physiological effects of swimming at elevation.

For example, Swimcloud uses altitude settings from Hy-Tek meet result files to display both the swimmer's actual time and an altitude-adjusted time, marked with an "A" tag. This adjusted time provides a fairer comparison with performances at lower elevations.

Different organizations use slightly different conversion factors for these adjustments. For instance, the NCAA applies a 20-second adjustment to the 1,500-meter freestyle for meets held at altitudes between 4,251 and 6,500 feet. These adjustments ensure that athletes competing at higher altitudes are not at a disadvantage when their times are compared to those of swimmers who competed at sea level.

What's the Official Time?

It's important to note that the official time is always the actual time swum at the meet, not the altitude-adjusted time. The adjusted time is simply for comparison purposes and does not count for qualification or records.

Does Swim Standards show altitude-adjusted times?

No, Swim Standards does not display altitude-adjusted times. We focus on showing actual meet times as recorded. Please note that we are not an official rankings platform.

If you have any questions or thoughts on this, feel free to join the conversation below!

In competitive activities like swimming, athletes are often ranked based on their performance at various levels, such as national, zone, LSC (Local Swimming Committee), or club competitions. One useful way to interpret these rankings is through percentiles, which show how a swimmer's rank compares to others in their group.

What is a Percentile?

A percentile tells you what percentage of participants you performed better than. For example, if you're in the 90th percentile, it means you performed better than 90% of the participants.

The Formula for Calculating Percentile

To calculate the percentile of a ranking, we use the following formula:

equation1.png

This formula essentially measures how far you are from the top position (rank 1) relative to the total number of participants. Let's break down what each part of the formula means:

Rank: This is your position in the ranking list. If you're ranked 20th out of 6178 swimmers, then your rank is 20. Total Participants: This is the total number of participants you're being compared against. In our example, it's 6178. Rank - 1: We subtract 1 from your rank because the formula assumes the first position is the absolute top, and we want to measure how many positions you're away from it. Example Calculation

Let’s walk through an example:

National Rank: 20 out of 6178 swimmers.

Using the formula:

equation2.png
equation3.png

This means that if your rank is 20th out of 6178 swimmers, you are in the 99.69th percentile. In other words, you performed better than approximately 99.69% of the participants.

What Does the Percentile Tell Us?

High Percentile (Near 100%): This means you’re among the top performers. For instance, a percentile of 99% means you performed better than 99% of all participants.

Low Percentile (Near 0%): This indicates that a large number of participants performed better than you. A percentile of 10% would mean you performed better than only 10% of the participants.

Why is Percentile Important?

Percentiles provide a clearer picture of where you stand in a large group, especially when comparing ranks across different sizes of participant pools. For instance, ranking 10th out of 100 is very different from ranking 10th out of 10,000. Percentiles help normalize these differences, making it easier to understand your performance.

In summary, the ranking percentile is a valuable metric for assessing how your performance stacks up against others. By understanding the formula and what it represents, you can better interpret rankings and appreciate the significance of being in a particular percentile.

Locations and Dates Richmond, VA: July 25 – 28 (Thu - Sun) Austin, TX: July 24 – 27 (Wed - Sat) Huntsville, AL: July 24 – 27 (Wed - Sat) Minneapolis, MN: July 24 – 27 (Wed - Sat) Sacramento, CA: July 24 – 27 (Wed - Sat) Key Details Entry Deadline: Noon Mountain Time on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, or until the site’s capacity is reached (max 1000 swimmers per site). Entry System: USA Swimming’s Online Meet Entry (OME) system. Entries begin Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 11:00 am Mountain Time. Event Format Pool Type: Long Course Meters (LCM) Event Types: 800m and 1500m freestyle and all relays are timed finals. Other individual events are preliminaries and finals, with the top 32 advancing to finals. Final events order: D, C, B, and A finals. C and D finals are for top 18-under swimmers not in A or B finals. Schedule: Prelims at 9:00 a.m., Finals at 5:30 p.m. Seeding: In order of LCM, SCY, non-conforming LCM, non-conforming SCY, and bonus entries. Distance Events Qualifying Standards: Swimmers can qualify using 800m/1000yd or 1500m/1650yd standards. Heats: All but the fastest-seeded heats swim slowest to fastest, alternating women’s and men’s heats. Scoring and Awards Team Scores: Awards for top three teams in Men’s, Women’s, and Combined categories. Individual Awards: Medals for all place winners in the A final, and High Point Awards for top-scoring male and female swimmers. Entry Fees Individual Events: $20.00 Relays: $40.00 per event Coach/Team Staff Credential: $20.00 per person or $50 on-site Order of Events Day 1 Women Event 1: 200 Meter Freestyle Event 3: 100 Meter Breaststroke Event 5: 200 Meter Butterfly Event 7: 800 Meter Freestyle Men Event 2: 200 Meter Freestyle Event 4: 100 Meter Breaststroke Event 6: 200 Meter Butterfly Event 8: 1500 Meter Freestyle Day 2 Women Event 9: 100 Meter Freestyle Event 11: 400 Meter Individual Medley Event 13: 100 Meter Backstroke Event 15: 800 Meter Freestyle Relay Men Event 10: 100 Meter Freestyle Event 12: 400 Meter Individual Medley Event 14: 100 Meter Backstroke Event 16: 800 Meter Freestyle Relay Day 3 Women Event 17: 400 Meter Freestyle Event 19: 100 Meter Butterfly Event 21: 200 Meter Breaststroke Event 23: 400 Meter Freestyle Relay Men Event 18: 400 Meter Freestyle Event 20: 100 Meter Butterfly Event 22: 200 Meter Breaststroke Event 24: 400 Meter Freestyle Relay Day 4 Women Event 25: 200 Meter Individual Medley Event 27: 50 Meter Freestyle Event 29: 200 Meter Backstroke Event 31: 1500 Meter Freestyle Event 33: 400 Meter Medley Relay Men Event 26: 200 Meter Individual Medley Event 28: 50 Meter Freestyle Event 30: 200 Meter Backstroke Event 32: 800 Meter Freestyle Event 34: 400 Meter Medley Relay Schedule Competition Days (Day 1 to Day 4) Prelims: 9:00 a.m. Finals: 5:30 p.m. Practice Times Day Before Competition: Noon - 8:00 p.m. Competition Days: 7:00 a.m. - until one hour after the conclusion of the evening session. Warm-Up Procedures General Warm-Up: Only feet-first entries allowed, except in designated lanes/times. Equipment: No fins, snorkels, hand paddles, etc., permitted. Violation Consequences: May result in disqualification from the next individual event or expulsion from the meet. Venue-Specific Warm-Up Times and Procedures Details for specific venues, including lane assignments and specific times for equipment usage, will be distributed at registration and during the technical meeting. Venue-Specific Details Richmond, VA (Swim RVA) Venue: Collegiate School Aquatics Center Facilities: 50m Myrtha pool, indoor 6-lane 25yd pool for warm-up, seating for 700+ spectators. Medical Assistance: Lifeguards on duty; nearest hospital is CJW Medical Center – Chippenham Campus. Concessions: Available throughout the meet. Austin, TX (Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center) Venue: University of Texas at Austin Facilities: Premier 50m pool, spectator seating for 2000. Medical Assistance: EMT on deck. Concessions: Provided by O’s Campus Café. Huntsville, AL (Huntsville Aquatics Center) Venue: Huntsville Aquatics Center Facilities: Two indoor 50m pools, 8 lanes each. Medical Assistance: Lifeguards and certified medical personnel on site. Concessions: Available in the pool lobby. Minneapolis, MN (Jean K Freeman Aquatic Center) Venue: University of Minnesota Facilities: 8-lane 50m indoor pool, 6-lane 25yd warm-up pool. Medical Assistance: Lifeguards on duty. Concessions: Available at spectator entrance. Sacramento, CA (North Natomas Aquatic Center) Venue: North Natomas Aquatics Complex Facilities: Outdoor 50m pool, 25yd warm-up pool. Medical Assistance: Lifeguards on duty. Concessions: Information to come later. Additional Notes Technical Meetings: Virtual meetings held the evening prior to Day 1. Scratch Deadlines: Day 1 events: 15 minutes after technical meeting. Subsequent days: 30 minutes after the start of the previous evening’s finals. Time Trials: At the discretion of the Meet Referee. Limited to two time trials per swimmer.

For more details, refer to the event's official document.

The 2024 Long Course Senior Zone Championships will be held from August 1-4, 2024, at Erie Community College Burt Flickinger Center in Buffalo, NY. The meet is open to registered Eastern Zone USA Swimming athletes with qualifying times achieved between January 1, 2023, and the entry deadline of July 22, 2024. Here are the highlights:

Meet Officials:

Meet Director & Entry Coordinator: Thomas J Day (dayswimming@gmail.com) Club Officials Chair: Leo Gibbons (lcgjr1953@gmail.com) Meet Referee: Donna Beyerl (donnabeyerl@gmail.com) Admin Referee: Genny Kimbel (gennykimbel@gmail.com) NI Officials Chair: Bob Nicita (officials@niagaraswim.org)

Facility:

50-meter pool with continuous flow gutters, Kiefer-McNeil lane dividers, and a separate 25-yard pool for warm-up/down. Balcony seating for 1200 spectators. Colorado Electronic Timing system.

Schedule (Tentative):

Wednesday, July 31: General Meeting at 4:00 PM, General Warm-Up from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Thursday-Sunday: Prelims from 9:00 AM, Finals from 5:00 PM (4:00 PM on Sunday).

Spectators & Livestream:

Spectators allowed. Meet will be live-streamed on STAR Swimming’s YouTube channel.

Entry Fees:

$15 per individual event, $30 per relay event, $7.50 swimmer surcharge.

Admissions:

$40 for All Sessions Pass, $15 for Single Day Pass.

Special Rules & Procedures:

Scratch and Positive Check-In required for relays and distance events. Bonus events allowed based on the number of qualifying times. No on-deck USA Swimming registration permitted. Specific rules for deck admittance, including the requirement for credentials. Distance events will follow specific check-in and seeding procedures. Timers required from visiting teams for prelims, STAR Swimming provides timers for finals.

Awards:

Top 3 teams (Women’s, Men’s, and Combined) will receive awards. Medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in individual and relay events.

Additional Information:

Time trials offered each day, time permitting. Specific procedures for late entries and proof of time. Officials’ certification and application process detailed. General meeting to be held virtually or hybrid.

This meet involves specific compliance with USA Swimming rules, safety policies, and the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP). Coaches, swimmers, and officials must ensure adherence to these regulations throughout the event.

For detailed event schedules and further information, please refer to the official meet document.

Event Details Dates: July 11-14, 2024 Location: University of Maryland, College Park Campus, Eppley Recreation Center Sanction Number: PVS-24-106 Meet Officials Meet Director: Tom Ugast (tugast@nationscapitalswimming.com) Meet Referee: Ellen Colket (ecpenny@msn.com) Administrative Official: Courtney Johnston (Courtney.johnston@gmail.com) Entry Chair: Karyn McCannon (kmccannon@nationscapitalswimming.com) Facility Information The competition pool is 50m x 25yd with two moveable bulkheads. Depth: 8’ at start end and 14’ at turn end. Continuous warm-up/cool-down available in a separate 25-yard pool. Parking cost: Approximately $15 per day. Entry Information Deadline for Entries: Tuesday, July 2, 2024, 12:00 pm Late Entries: Accepted until Monday, July 8, 2024, at NOON with a fee. Entry Fees: Per Swimmer Surcharge: $10.00 Individual Event Fee: $12.50 Relay Event Fee: $20.00 Time Trial Fee: $15.00 per attempt Schedule July 11-14, 2024: Prelims: Warm-up 7:00 – 8:20 am, Events 8:30 am Finals: Thursday & Friday: Warm-up 5:00 – 6:00 pm, Events 6:10 pm Saturday & Sunday: Warm-up 4:00 – 5:00 pm, Events 5:10 pm Eligibility Open to all Potomac Valley Swimming registered athletes and invited USA Swimming Teams. Swimmers must be registered with USA Swimming and meet qualifying times. Special Provisions Disability Swimmers: Accommodations available upon advance notice to the Meet Director. Inclement Weather: Changes will be posted on the PVS website or sent via Flash Mail. Timing System: Automatic timing (touchpads primary) will be used. Rules: Governed by current USA Swimming rules. MAAPP compliance required. Event Rules Maximum of seven (7) individual events per swimmer, no more than three (3) per day including Time Trials. Relays: Clubs may enter up to three (3) teams per relay event; only two (2) may score. Positive check-in required for all events 400m and longer. No deck entries will be accepted. Scoring & Awards Individual Scoring: Top 16 places score points. Relay Scoring: Top 16 places score points. Awards: No awards. Important Notes No on-deck USA Swimming registration. Use of audio/visual recording devices is prohibited in changing areas, restrooms, and locker rooms. Deck changes are prohibited. Drone usage is prohibited over the venue. Time Trials Held after prelim sessions if time permits. Athletes must compete in an individual event in PVS LC Open Championships to participate. Maximum of two (2) time trials per athlete during the meet. Warm-Up Procedures Follow prescribed PVS warm-up procedures and safety policies. Continuous warm-up/cool-down lanes available during the meet. Supervision Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their swimmers and for cleaning up their team areas. Meet Marshals will ensure compliance with safety and MAAPP protocols. Credentials Only athletes, USA Swimming certified coaches, and deck officials are permitted on deck. Proof of USA Swimming membership required. Medical Assistance Provided by facility staff. Notify a lifeguard or meet staff if assistance is needed. Officials & Volunteers Officials: This is an Officials Qualifying Meet (OQM). Officials interested in evaluations must submit an application by July 4, 2024. Timers & Volunteers: Two timers per lane. Clubs must provide timers and volunteers based on the number of entries. Entry Procedures Submit entries via email to Entry Coordinator, Karyn McCannon at kmccannon@nationscapitalswimming.com. Include entry file, report of entries by name and event, and contact information in the email. Payment for unattached athletes is due in advance.

For detailed event schedules and further information, please refer to the official meet document or visit the Potomac Valley Swimming website.