Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

jaadams1 — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 12:40:49 GMT

1. Fairfax County Masters 495 2. Reston Masters Swim Team 73 3. Patriot Masters Swim Team 25 4. Colonials 1776 16 5. Germantown Maryland Masters 9 5. Team Swim Spray 9 5. Garden State Masters 9 5. Alexandria Masters Swimming 9 5. Gold Coast Masters 9 5. Arena Club Masters 9 5. Virginia Masters Swim Team 9 12. Unat Hopefully some other teams will be able to swim the rest of the meet and try to catch up the score. Can anyone topple the super-giant "Team Z"???

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

200free — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:39:12 GMT

Results for the Colonies Zone SCY Championships are being posted here: www.patriotmasters.org/.../index.htm

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

200free — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 03:43:23 GMT

Psych sheets for the Colonies Zone meet have been posted. On the live results link: www.patriotmasters.org/.../index.htm And on SwimPhone: www.swimphone.com/.../event_order.cfm

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

200free — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:01:09 GMT

Entry deadline for the Colonies zone meet is tomorrow (Friday April 12)!!! www.patriotmasters.org/ColoniesZone2013.htm

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Muppet — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:13:48 GMT

The Colonies Zone Committee Spring Meeting will be held on Sunday of Zones, 8:30am in the Hospitality/Officials room of the GMU Natatorium. All swimmers are invited to attend.

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Former Member — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:41:21 GMT

I'm looking forward to my first CZ SCY championships meet!

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Kevin in MD — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:22:35 GMT

for all the stink raised in this thread, i'm surprised only 14 people jumped at this opportunity during the first 48 hours registration was open. Replacing the zone championships with a regular 1650 that doesn't count with the rest of the zones meet doesn't exactly replace what was lost. I definitely appreciate the fact that there is another one offered, but without the prospect of counting toward team totals some people won't bother with it.

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

chowmi — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:46:41 GMT

This is one of THE FUNNEST meets i've EVER been to! It is the perfect blend of great competition, spacing of events, running of the meet, really nice people, and excellent facility with 2 deep ends (even thought they say "shallow" and "deep", they are both really deep water). And ample free parking. I would recommend this meet if ever you want a championship quality meet with beaucoup events (obviously, not distance events unless you have a trigger entry finger!) You will meet many nice forumites that will welcome you to sit with them. It's always a drag to go to a meet, not know anyone, and get last dibs on the good sitting spots. Here everyone's really nice!!! Sorry I can't go this year. boo hoo.

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Chris Stevenson — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:41:24 GMT

without the prospect of counting toward team totals some people won't bother with it. It's an interesting hypothesis but I think it is flawed to some extent. Imagine two groups of distance swimmers who were closed out of the 1000/1650 at zones: 1. They decided to opt out of the whole meet. Then this meet comes along. If they replace the zones distance events with Muppet's, and then swim in zones on Sat/Sun, they will be contributing more point to their team than if they didn't come at all. 2. They entered Sat/Sun anyway even though they were a little sad. Then this event opens up; if they are true-blue distance folk then they will probably jump at the chance to swim their beloved 1000/1650 and it won't affect their point totals on Sat/Sun. Of course, this omits what I think is the largest group of distance (or any other) swimmer: the ones that don't even notice team scores. Nevertheless I agree that there will be some distance swimmer's whose enthusiasm for zones has been dampened by recent events; I would hope the lure of good swimming in well-run meets at nice facilities will be enough to overcome that.

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Muppet — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:13:27 GMT

for all the stink raised in this thread, i'm surprised only 14 people jumped at this opportunity during the first 48 hours registration was open.

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Former Member — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 06:55:50 GMT

for all the stink raised in this thread, i'm surprised only 14 people jumped at this opportunity during the first 48 hours registration was open. Muppet, you forget that masters swimmers don't sign-up until the last few days. Don't worry, there are enough nutty folk that will want to swim either of those events.

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Patrick W. Brundage — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 02:50:48 GMT

for all the stink raised in this thread, i'm surprised only 14 people jumped at this opportunity during the first 48 hours registration was open.You should invite the tri folks in case they want to do a cross-town, two-meet daily double:bolt:

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Muppet — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 01:34:44 GMT

registration opens tomorrow: www.clubassistant.com/.../meet_information.cfm

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Chris Stevenson — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 03:31:32 GMT

Plus, there is supposedly an DC area alternative if you were shut out of the distance events. Yes I knew something was in the works but didn't check the PV website; my bad. www.clubassistant.com/.../meet_information.cfm Looks like a sanction has been issued but the online registration isn't up yet; I'm sure it will be soon.

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

tjrpatt — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 08:30:53 GMT

Plus, there is supposedly an DC area alternative if you were shut out of the distance events.

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Chris Stevenson — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 04:13:55 GMT

To those thinking about skipping the meet because they are closed out of the distance events on Friday: I hope you reconsider. This is such a well-run meet, taking place in a nice pool with a lot of fun people. There really just aren't that many meets around like this that are a good (but reasonable) size. And if you attend with 3+ of your teammates there are plenty of relays for you to sink your teeth into; I know some people who go to zones as much for the relay opportunities as anything else.

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Chris Stevenson — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 02:47:51 GMT

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Kevin in MD — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 09:10:52 GMT

Events are open for everyone to register at the same time, just like CZ. That is fair. Period. In that case, the entry for Ironman Kona, Ironman 70.3 championships in Las Vegas, Olympic Distance Nationals, sprint Distance Nationals, Half max championships, 5150 nationals in Des Moines, duathlon long course nationals, and duathlon short course nationals are ALL unfair ad before you did your first triathlon you were not welcome there and depending on your speed you might still not be. I just got back from a meet today and it was the talk of the meet (it was a distance meet in Baltimore). I don't care for the comments saying that the team Z people are doing something wrong, they signed up just like everyone else. The people at the zone level need to make sure it doesn't happen again. On the other hand to say we are elitest or something else is off base, championship meets should seek out the fastest people who want to race, once that's done then if it is logistically possible, then let everyone else in. That's how triathlons are run as well, you don't just let anybody roll up to the national championships and step on in. At triathlon regional levels, things are undersubscribed and in fact you usually can just enter, but certainly not always.

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

The Fortress — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 05:53:31 GMT

I post this as a swimmer AND triathlete because I am both. I have to say I am disappointed in all the comments made by "masters swimmers" about triathletes. I was a swimmer before I was a triathlete and have just recently returned to swimming. I was welcomed into the triathlon community with only a background in swimming. It was never suggested I have to have a minimum bike or run time to participate in an event that would sell out. Events are open for everyone to register at the same time, just like CZ. That is fair. Period. Maybe it is more important to the triathletes than the "masters swimmers" which we (triathletes registered for CZ) all are, to get registered early. The suggestions of "proof of entry times" and limiting entry to the fastest times is garbage too. I have been out of competitive swimming for almost 15 years and registered as a masters swimmer two months ago. I have no entry times but will likely place top three in both my distance events for my age group. Should I not be allowed to enter because I can't prove what my times might be? Being slow does not make a "triathlete" less serious about swimming. It is possible to be serious about more than one sport. Being slow doesn't mean you aren't serious. Some of these "bad people" swim on my masters team. They don't swim in my lane but most days, doing the workout was a lot harder for them than for me. You may have all forgotten your early years, but swimming a mile is nothing to take lightly and a lot of hard work has to be put in for anyone to even consider it. I believe hard work should be rewarded with opportunity, an opportunity to swim in a meet. You could ask "why this meet?" My question is why not? Entry was open to everyone at the same time. If it was important enough to you, you could have secured an entry. Maybe some swimmers were always elitist jerks and I just didn't know it. The last time I was involved in competitive swimming, there were very few forums like this (for anything) for people to express who they really are. I look forward to competing at CZ this year, against "masters swimmers" and "triathletes" alike. Good luck to triathletes from DC Tri, FeXY, Team Z and any other triathlon clubs or teams associated with a masters program. I welcome you to MY sport as you welcomed me to yours. How is it elitist to have time standards at a championship meet?

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Rich B. — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 05:29:16 GMT

That's my point though. There is a good chance that the actions of TeamZ will decrease participation by displacing people who would have entered more events and swum on all three days. That is very true. Last year I swam 12 events at this meet including a distance race, and in 2011 11 events including a distance race. I really liked this meet and I was planning to sign up this year but after getting shut out of both distance events overnight I'm not going.

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Kevin in MD — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 03:31:40 GMT

I still fail to see what the members of Team Z did that is so wrong here. I don't think team Z did anything wrong, however if Mason gets the colonies bid again, then shame on us (the royal us) if we don't do anything to keep the event from selling out in 2 hours again next year. As I stated before, I'd lay out q times, they could be quite easy to make, but some q time for entry into the race during the first say three weeks, then it is open to anyone.

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Former Member — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:20:28 GMT

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Former Member — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:17:53 GMT

Seems like a move to requiring a qualifying time is inevitable here. This is how other important, popular events (NY/Boston Marathon, Kona Ironman, etc.) keep numbers down and let the best participate. Almost every Central Park 5K and 10K I've been to has segregated the elite runners; otherwise they wouldn't show up. And if Team Z couldn't get into Colonies Zones, it would be that much more likely to sponsor its own event. As of now, it's getting free milk from the cow. I'd think Colonies Zone would be flattered that it has become so popular. It's disappointing that relatively few seem to agree.

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

Former Member — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:22:05 GMT

Chris, If we use the "takers" vs. the "givers" the theme, how many teams really step-up to host a meet? When I look at the Dixie Zone calendar, almost every year the same teams are hosting the same meets. I think most teams are more along the lines of "takers" than "givers" because they probably prefer to go to meets rather than host them for various reason. For several years, I have tried to get our team to host a meet. We can run it either short course yards or meters(all with fixed walls Jim Thornton) but no one on the team is interested in hosting the meet because of the work. Teams like yours, muppets, jeff roddin's, are special because they do give and give and give to the usms community. But I can't hold it against a team for getting their swimmers to enter a meet for one day or even one event.

RE: Colonies Zone SCY Championships - Fairfax VA

The Fortress — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:27:18 GMT

I'd think Colonies Zone would be flattered that it has become so popular. It's disappointing that relatively few seem to agree. It's not. The distance events are fixed, so the same number of swimmers attend on Friday. Because of the time trialing blitz, events on Saturday and Sunday will be less popular and the meet as a whole less popular. That's what Chris was referring to above as the negative ripple effect. I'm in favor of Team Z attending meets, including Zones. I'm in favor of Team Z hosting meets. I'm in favor of Team Z doing OW swims. I'm not in favor of them intentionally preventing pool swimmers or any other team from competing in a championship meet when the UMBC meet (or practice time) was available for time trialing.