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.

its all opinion based, some people find it faster and adapt better, some don't, see which is faster in practice

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

@Lofty_Moray741 Great catch! Thanks! 👏 We just shared a story highlighting Hunter’s swim. By the way, here’s the list of 2026 National Age Group (NAG) Records: https://swimstandards.com/records/nag

Whether your hair is natural, curly, straight, color-treated, or bleached, spending hours in the pool every week can leave it feeling dry, brittle, and difficult to manage. Chlorine strips away your hair's natural oils, and for swimmers with dyed hair, it can also cause color to fade much faster. The good news is that a few simple habits can help keep your hair healthier all season long. 🚿 1. Wet Your Hair Before Swimming Before getting into the pool, thoroughly rinse your hair with clean water. Hair acts like a sponge. If it's already saturated with fresh water, it may absorb less chlorinated water during your swim. 🧴 2. Apply a Leave-In Conditioner A leave-in conditioner adds moisture and creates a protective barrier between your hair and the pool water. This is especially helpful for: Dyed hair Bleached hair Curly hair Dry or damaged hair 🏊 3. Wear a Silicone Swim Cap While no swim cap is completely waterproof, a silicone cap helps reduce your hair's exposure to chlorine and can also reduce tangles and breakage. 🚿 4. Rinse Off Immediately After Swimming As soon as practice or your meet is over, rinse your hair with fresh water to remove as much chlorine as possible before it has time to dry. 🧼 5. Use a Swimmer's Shampoo Swimmer's shampoos are designed to remove chlorine and mineral buildup that regular shampoos may leave behind. Using one a few times each week can help keep your hair feeling cleaner and healthier. 💆 6. Deep Condition Regularly Swimming several times a week can dry out any hair type. Using a deep conditioning treatment once or twice a week helps restore moisture, reduce breakage, and keep hair soft. ☀️ 7. Protect Your Hair Between Events During outdoor meets, the combination of chlorine and sun exposure can dry out your hair even more. Wearing a hat while you're waiting between races can help reduce UV exposure and keep your hair healthier. ✂️ 8. Get Regular Trims Regular trims help remove split ends before they spread, keeping your hair looking healthier throughout the swim season. 💡 Extra Tip for Dyed Hair If your hair is dyed or bleached, consider waiting a few days after coloring before returning to the pool whenever possible. Fresh color is more likely to fade with heavy chlorine exposure. 🛍️ Hair Care Essentials for Swimmers A few products can make a big difference throughout the season: Leave-in conditioner Swimmer's shampoo Deep conditioner Silicone swim cap Wide-tooth comb Microfiber hair towel UV protectant hair spray No matter your hair type, taking a few extra minutes before and after swimming can help keep it healthier, softer, and stronger throughout the season.

🥽 Don't Throw Away Your Broken Goggles Just Yet Have you ever been getting ready for practice or a race, pulled your goggles over your head, and suddenly... SNAP! It's one of the most frustrating things that can happen, especially if your goggles are otherwise in perfect condition. Fortunately, a broken strap doesn't always mean you need to buy a whole new pair. There are a couple of great replacement options depending on what style you prefer. 🔄 Upgrade to a Bungee Strap Many competitive swimmers actually replace their original straps with bungee cords on purpose. Unlike traditional silicone straps, bungee straps are quick to adjust using a cord lock, making it easy to get the perfect fit before every race. They also tend to pull less on your hair and are simple to replace if one wears out. The Frienda kit includes 10 replacement bungee cords and 10 cord locks, so you'll have plenty of extras for future goggles or teammates who inevitably break theirs. Why you'll like them: Easy to adjust Comfortable to wear Multiple colors included Fits most goggles with replaceable straps Great value with 10 complete replacements 💲Price at the time of writing: $8.99 👉 View the Frienda Bungee Straps on Amazon 🥽 Keep the Original Feel Not everyone likes bungee straps—and that's okay. If you love the feel of the original silicone strap that came with your goggles, you can simply replace it instead of buying an entirely new pair. These replacement straps are compatible with many popular competitive goggles, including Speedo Vanquisher models, Arena goggles, and Phelps Xceed goggles. They're an easy way to bring your favorite goggles back to life. Why you'll like them: Similar feel to the original strap Compatible with many popular racing goggles One size fits all ages Great to keep as a backup in your swim bag 💲Price at the time of writing: $12.99 👉 View the Silicone Replacement Straps on Amazon 🏊 Every Swimmer Should Pack a Spare Goggle straps almost always seem to break at the worst possible moment—right before practice, during warm-ups, or minutes before your race. Keeping a replacement strap in your swim bag can save you from borrowing goggles or buying a new pair at the meet. Whether you prefer the convenience of a bungee strap or the familiar feel of a silicone replacement, it's a small purchase that can save both money and frustration.

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

@Shiny_Walrus408 Thank you for the explanation. Your club name has been corrected to CAC Boulder Riptide

This should be fixed. Please try it again. https://swimstandards.com/meets/2026-cz-east-summer-speedo-sectional-0716