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  • Announcements regarding our community.

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    adamA
    What Are the ORCA Awards? The ORCA Awards, presented by ISCA, recognize outstanding athletes, coaches, clubs, and contributors who help grow the sport of swimming. One of the featured honors is the Age Group Swimmer of the Year, which recognizes exceptional performances and achievements by age group swimmers throughout the calendar year. Swim Standards is proud to support the ORCA Awards by providing data analysis and independent rankings to help identify top candidates in each age group. The ORCA rankings published by Swim Standards are unofficial and are based solely on meet results available in the Swim Standards database. While we strive to provide complete and accurate data, some meet results may not yet be available or may be corrected after publication. The official ORCA Award finalists and winners are selected by ISCA. Calendar Year, Not Swim Season The ORCA Awards are based on the calendar year (January 1 – December 31), not the USA Swimming season. For example, the 2026 awards include swims achieved between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026. Age Groups Each swimmer is evaluated in one of the following age categories: 9 & Under 10 11 12 13 14 15–16 17–18 (Senior) Swimmers are ranked separately within each age category. When a swimmer ages up during the calendar year, they retain eligibility for their previous age and then gain eligibility for the next age group. This means that a high majority of swimmers will have dual eligibility in two different ages each calendar year (often referred to as upper and lower eligibility). Rankings for the older age group are based primarily on swims achieved after aging up. However, if a swimmer did not have an opportunity to compete in a particular eligible event after their birthday, their best time from the previous age group may be carried forward for that event. This helps ensure swimmers are not disadvantaged simply because of the timing of their birthdate. This carry-forward applies only when moving to an older age group. Times achieved after aging up are never counted toward the younger age group’s rankings. How the Scoring Works The rankings are based on each swimmer’s best time in every eligible event with USA Swimming Motivational Standards during the calendar year. Within each age group, gender, course (both SCY and LCM), and eligible events, a swimmer receives points based on their placement on the nation leaderboards. The higher the ranking, the more points received. Bonus points are awarded for any National Age Group Records held at the end of the calendar year. At the conclusion of the calendar year, an annual TOP 10 Leaderboard will be published for both genders and for each age category. The TOP 10 will then be rescored within their leaderboard so that 5 FINALISTS are named for every category. These 5 finalists will be submitted to an established voting committee where each AGE GROUP SWIMMER OF THE YEAR will be announced at the annual ORCA Awards in April. More Than Just Speed The point rankings are designed to identify the leading candidates, but they do not determine the ORCA Award winners by themselves. After the preliminary finalists are identified, ISCA also considers accomplishments such as: State Championship titles Senior State Championship titles Open Water achievements Zones results Junior or National Team selections Other notable accomplishments throughout the year These achievements help distinguish the final winners from the top-ranked candidates. Quarterly Rankings Beginning in 2026, Swim Standards publishes quarterly ORCA leaderboards throughout the year, allowing swimmers, families, and coaches to follow the race for the ORCA Awards as the season progresses. Current schedule: Q1: January 1 – March 31 (Published) Q2: April 1 – June 30 Q3: July 1 – September 30 Q4: October 1 – December 31 These quarterly leaderboards recognize the top-performing swimmers at each checkpoint of the year. The annual January–December rankings will be used to help identify the finalists for the ORCA Age Group Swimmer of the Year Awards. Annual Final Rankings At the end of the calendar year, Swim Standards will publish the complete January–December rankings. Our goal is to provide a transparent and objective scoring system that recognizes outstanding age group performances while supporting the ORCA Awards selection process. For more information about the ORCA Awards and ISCA, visit the official ORCA Awards page. Disclaimer The ORCA rankings published by Swim Standards are unofficial and are intended for informational purposes only. They are calculated using the scoring methodology described above and are based solely on meet results available in the Swim Standards database at the time of publication. Because additional meet results or corrections may become available, rankings may change over time. The official ORCA Award finalists and winners are selected by ISCA using its complete review process, which includes both performance data and non-scoring criteria.
  • A place to talk about whatever you want.

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

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    adamA
    The 47th Annual Maryland State Long Course Championships returns to Rockville at the end of May, bringing together top swimmers across the state for a three-day championship meet. [image: 1777989174609-77774cc4-c2cc-4bf8-8f3b-5fbce1d18a7c.png] 📍 Meet Overview Dates: May 29–31, 2026 Location: Rockville Swim & Fitness Center (Outdoor 50m pool) Host: Rockville-Montgomery Swim Club (RMSC) Sanction: PVI-26-112 This is a long course (LCM) championship meet held in an 8-lane, 50-meter outdoor pool, with limited warm-up space available in adjacent pools. ⏱ Key Deadlines Entry Deadline: May 19, 2026 (6:00 PM) 👉 Note: Most clubs set earlier internal deadlines. 🗓 Session Schedule Friday, May 29 13&O Warm-up: 2:00 PM Start: 3:00 PM 12&U Warm-up: 6:10 PM Start: 6:50 PM Saturday & Sunday (May 30–31) Morning (15&O) Warm-up: 8:00 AM / 8:30 AM Start: 9:10 AM Midday (13–14) Warm-up: 12:30 PM / 1:00 PM Start: 1:40 PM Evening (12&U) Warm-up: 4:30 PM / 4:55 PM Start: 5:30 PM 📋 Meet Format & Rules All events are timed finals (no prelims/finals format) Qualifying meet required (times since May 1, 2023) No deck entries Pre-seeded meet Event Limits 13–14 & 15&O: Max 6 events total Max 2 Friday, 3 per day Sat/Sun 12&U: Max 6 events total Max 1 Friday, 3 per day Sat/Sun ⚠️ Important Notes 400 Events (Free & IM) May be capped by top seeds: Top 40 (15&O) Top 32 (13–14, 11–12) 50s of Stroke (13&O) Must be qualified in the 100 of that stroke Otherwise entered as bonus event Bonus Events Allowed only if swimmer has a qualifying time 400s cannot be bonus events 🏊 Event Highlights Friday Distance + Sprints 400 Free (all age groups) 50s of stroke (13&O) 50 Free Saturday Focus 200 Fly / 200 Breast / 200 IM 100 Back / 100 Free Mixed relays Sunday Finish 100 Fly / 100 Breast 200 Back / 200 Free 400 IM Final relays 📱 Additional Info Results: Available on Meet Mobile No awards or team scoring Automatic timing (touchpads) Outdoor meet – plan accordingly 🧠 Quick Take Classic timed finals championship format → every swim matters Heavy event load allowed (up to 6) → strategic event selection is key 400 events could be cut → seed times matter more than usual
  • Performance analysis and record tracking for age group swimming.

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    SSEditorS
    A quieter holiday week on the calendar still produced some notable depth, headlined by an 18-year-old's breaststroke swim and an entire 10&U boys podium filled with 9-year-olds. Here's the breakdown of the top performances by Power Points from July 2 through July 8. 10 & Under Girls Rank Swimmer Team Age Event Time Points 1 Kaydence Pettis SSC (IN) 10 50 Breast 38.68 891 2 Isabelle Neuman LAKE (WI) 10 100 Fly 1:14.72 867 3 Savannah Nordmark AA (IL) 9 50 Breast 43.14 859 Kaydence Pettis leads the group with a 38.68 in the 50 breast, worth 891 points. Isabelle Neuman follows over 100 fly, and Savannah Nordmark rounds out the top three with a 50 breast of her own at age 9 — the only swimmer in the group not yet 10. Boys Rank Swimmer Team Age Event Time Points 1 Rafael Hewett WAVE (NC) 9 400 Free 5:29.10 891 2 Heath Cobb MTRO (NT) 9 50 Back 37.19 882 3 Aldar Khamutaev MPNY (MR) 9 200 IM 2:55.43 874 Every swimmer on the 10&U boys podium this week is 9 years old. Rafael Hewett leads with a 5:29.10 in the 400 free, Heath Cobb follows over 50 back, and Aldar Khamutaev closes it out with a 200 IM — three different events, same age across the board. 11-12 Girls Rank Swimmer Team Age Event Time Points 1 Evyn Cain WYNS (WI) 12 100 Fly 1:06.02 865 2 Lauren McSwane BSC (IL) 12 1500 Free 18:41.92 862 3 Isabella Moran SAND (SCS) 11 200 Back 2:38.56 845 Evyn Cain tops the group with a 100 fly swim worth 865 points, narrowly ahead of Lauren McSwane, whose 18:41.92 in the 1500 free is one of the week's more demanding efforts. Isabella Moran closes out the top three over 200 back. Boys Rank Swimmer Team Age Event Time Points 1 Kion Sonomura UVA (UT) 11 50 Back 32.67 934 2 Sage Gordon MTRO (NT) 11 100 Free 1:01.23 929 3 Cub Stickels TFA (NT) 12 50 Back 30.35 928 Kion Sonomura leads with a 32.67 in the 50 back, and this group produced the tightest race of the week — Sage Gordon and Cub Stickels are separated by just a single point between second and third, with Gordon's 100 free edging out Stickels' 50 back. 13-14 Girls Rank Swimmer Team Age Event Time Points 1 Reese Leider LAKE (WI) 14 200 Breast 2:39.02 858 2 Emma Li KING (PN) 14 100 Back 1:06.16 855 3 Nora Kellstrom DUNE (IN) 13 100 Back 1:07.69 844 Reese Leider leads with a 200 breast swim worth 858 points, just ahead of Emma Li's 100 back. Nora Kellstrom joins Li in that event to complete a group where breaststroke and backstroke were the events of choice. Boys Rank Swimmer Team Age Event Time Points 1 Stokes Oxrieder TAC (NC) 14 100 Fly 58.28 906 2 Declan Maceachran FORK (AZ) 14 1500 Free 16:27.72 893 3 Samuel Carr FORD (AZ) 13 100 Breast 1:12.31 881 Stokes Oxrieder tops the group with a 58.28 in the 100 fly, while Declan Maceachran put together a strong distance swim, going 16:27.72 in the 1500 free. Samuel Carr rounds out the podium over 100 breast. 15-18 Girls Rank Swimmer Team Age Event Time Points 1 Marley Spray GM (AZ) 15 200 IM 2:18.40 898 2 Grace Koenig-Song WILD (IL) 16 100 Breast 1:10.86 895 3 Alyse Block VAST (WI) 18 100 Back 1:03.53 892 Marley Spray leads the group at just 15 years old, her 200 IM worth 898 points. Grace Koenig-Song and Alyse Block follow within a few points of each other, giving this group a tight three-way spread across three different events. Boys Rank Swimmer Team Age Event Time Points 1 Andrew Eubanks TDPS (OR) 18 100 Breast 1:01.44 987 2 Langston Lindsey GM (AZ) 16 100 Fly 54.40 956 3 Nathaniel Malcolm SAC (AZ) 18 200 Breast 2:18.73 918 Andrew Eubanks' 1:01.44 in the 100 breast is the top-scoring swim of the entire week, worth 987 points at age 18. Langston Lindsey follows with a 54.40 in the 100 fly, and Nathaniel Malcolm closes out the group over 200 breast — giving breaststroke two of the top three spots in the senior boys ranks. Key Takeaways Top swim of the week: Andrew Eubanks' 100 breast (987 points), the highest-scoring performance across all eight groups. Closest finish: Sage Gordon over Cub Stickels in the 11-12 boys standings, decided by a single point. Age note: The entire 10&U boys podium — Rafael Hewett, Heath Cobb, and Aldar Khamutaev — belongs to 9-year-olds. Balanced week: No single stroke dominated the top spots this week; backstroke, butterfly, and breaststroke each led two of the eight groups. Rankings reflect the top three swims by USA Swimming Power Points among times added between July 2 and July 8, 2026, one entry per swimmer per age group. Standards shown reflect each swimmer's individual time. Data via SwimStandards.com.
  • The simple guide to all things swimming.

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    SSEditorS
    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
  • Unleash Your Aquatic Style: Dive into the Discussions!

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    swimdealsS
    Few things are more frustrating than your goggles fogging up in the middle of practice or right before your race. Constantly stopping to rinse them wastes time and can make it harder to stay focused when every second counts. The STREAM 2 SEA Reef Safe Anti-Fog Spray is designed to keep your goggles clear so you can focus on swimming instead of fighting fog. 👀 Crystal Clear Vision Whether you're racing, training, snorkeling, or diving, clear vision makes a big difference. This anti-fog spray works on: Swimming goggles Snorkeling masks Scuba masks Ski goggles Safety glasses Most glass and plastic lenses A quick application before getting in the water helps reduce fog and keeps your vision clear throughout your swim. 💦 Quick & Easy to Use Using the spray only takes a few seconds: Place a small drop inside each lens. Spread it evenly with your finger. Add a small amount of water. Pour out the excess. You're ready to swim. No complicated steps or long waiting times. 🌊 Reef Safe Formula One feature that makes this product stand out is its reef-safe, eco-friendly formula. It's designed to be gentle on both freshwater and saltwater environments, allowing you to enjoy open water swimming, snorkeling, and diving while being mindful of marine life. 🛡️ Safe for Your Goggles The formula is: Non-abrasive Safe for plastic and glass lenses Streak-free Won't scratch your goggles That means you can use it regularly without worrying about damaging your equipment. 🏊 Perfect for Swimmers Whether you're heading to early morning practice, a weekend swim meet, or training for your next championship, having clear goggles can make every swim more enjoyable. No more stopping every few laps to clear the lenses—just put your head down and focus on your swim. Price at the time of writing: $13.12 (Prices may change over time.) 🛒 Check It Out If you're tired of fogged-up goggles slowing you down, this anti-fog spray is an affordable addition to any swimmer's gear bag. 👉 View the STREAM 2 SEA Anti-Fog Spray on Amazon
  • Fuel, hydrate, and recover the smart way.

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    swimdealsS
    Summer swim season means early mornings, long days at the pool, and spending hours cheering on your teammates. Whether you're racing one event or five, having a quick snack between events can help keep your energy up throughout the day. If you're looking for an easy snack to throw in your swim bag, this Frito-Lay Fun Times Mix Variety Pack is a great option. With 40 individually wrapped bags and 8 different snacks, there's something everyone on the team will enjoy. 🥨 What's Inside? 🧀 Doritos Nacho Cheese (8 bags) 🌮 Doritos Cool Ranch (6 bags) 🥔 Lay's Sour Cream & Onion (4 bags) 🥨 Rold Gold Tiny Twists Pretzels (4 bags) 🧀 Smartfood White Cheddar Popcorn (4 bags) 🐆 Cheetos Crunchy (6 bags) ☁️ Cheetos Puffs (4 bags) 🌾 SunChips Harvest Cheddar (4 bags) That's 40 single-serve bags that are perfect for: 🏊 Swim meets 💪 After practice 🚗 Road trips 🎉 Team parties 📚 School lunches 🏕️ Summer adventures ✅ Why Swimmers Love It Individually wrapped so they're easy to pack in your swim bag. A variety of snacks means everyone can find a favorite. Great for sharing with teammates and family. Perfect for long days at the pool. Tip: These are a convenient snack for busy meet days. Pair them with water, fruit, and a protein-rich meal to stay fueled throughout the competition. 🛒 Grab Yours Here Price: $23.79 👉 Shop the Frito-Lay Fun Times Mix Variety Pack on Amazon
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    adamA
    @Shiny_Walrus408 Thank you for the explanation. Your club name has been corrected to CAC Boulder Riptide
  • Support Center

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    epic_dolphin208E
    Hi Adam, thanks so much for looking into this. The NMA meets are club/USA-S meets, 2019 sunbelt champs a USMS meet, but the rest were indeed High School meets. I think this is a really great idea, especially if it could lead to a results file generation to preserve older meet results on a limited basis, since PDF results tend to be what remains over time. AI sounds like a very interesting approach!