Enforcement of NQT's for National Championships

Yes, this thread has definitely been hijacked. Seems to happen often. So to steer it back onto the topic that C.J. initially brought up, why do you think the NQTs need adjusting, C.J.? Do you think they're too tough, or not tough enough? From my own selfish point of view, I wouldn't mind them being just a little bit easier. I have a hard time making the ones for SCY. But for the most part I think they're accomplishing what they were intended to do. They have cut down on the total number of splashes, while still not excluding anyone. I do not mind "only" getting to swim three events at Nationals. Actually, it's sort of nice to only have one event to swim. You can tell yourself not to hold back, that you don't have to save something for another event. And as Sally Dillon pointed out, it's nice to have people on your team who have the time to go cheer on their teammates, or count for those distance swims. You can really soak up the atmosphere and have a great time when you're not so focused on your own events. I don't think the NQTs are all that broken, and don't need to be fixed. Meg

Thank you for re-stating these facts, Cynthia: for the benefit of the public, it reasserts performance in context. The person critiquing my swimming at the 2003 Short Course Nationals before your post -Sally Dillon-, lacks in thinking: 1.) she inquires whether I am 'uncoachable' in character, based on judgment of my breathing and turns one year apart, but she didn't absorb facts and she doesn't know me; 2.) in trumpeting here that she is critiquing my training, she braggs about doing little volume compared to the volume that I do, and about her focus on technique being better than my focus on VO2Max; This leads her to swimming the 100 yards free in 1:05.08 at the 2003 Short Course Nationals. My 58.40 in the 100 yards free at the 2003 Short Course Nationals -almost seven seconds faster than her 1:05.08-, together with considering the handicap that I overcome as a late starter, show that I am 'coachable' with training in volume, technique and intensity necessary to achieve much faster swimming than her's.

I agree with Phil's entire post, and from it, I highlight this: Originally posted by Phil M. ... ...I think that Ion's point is that because of the wide variety of backgrounds we come from we should open up the Nationals to all who would like to compete. The extra 3 events are just as important to current non-qualifiers as they are to those who happen to be swimming faster. ... If the Nationals get too crowded then add a day. If the sport is going to grow then we need to encourage participation not make it exclusionary.

Hi Meg, Thank you for putting us back on track. I do agree that NQT's are good. I agree with having them. I do think they need to be adjusted. I think that using the 10% lower than the 10th place time from the previous year is not a good formula. There needs to be a better calculation/system for measurement purposes. I think people need to some things into context. If all 42K registered USMS swimmers wanted to compete at Nationals, then that would be very tough to do. (Yes, I know that this is far fetched, but I am making a point) The ENFORECEMNT of the NQT's would be important in the case scenario. You only see about 1500-1800 at the SCY Nationals. This represents only about 2%. So what do NQT's really represent? I agree with Ian. If you work at it, then you get the reward. With that being said (I know this will upset allot of people, but it's my opinion) I think if anyone wants to swim at Nationals, then they must have a NQT for each event you swim. No freebies, no more 3 events without an NQT. Make it really mean something to swim at Nationals. Thank you. CJ Rushman Southwest Ohio Masters OHIO LMSC Secretary

Bottom line is you have to qualify to get more than 3 events. Want more? then earn them. Don’t expect the time standards to be lowered or done away with if you can’t make them. Be happy your glass (events) is half full. This is not a welfare organization; you get what you earn. Right now the only thing you’ve earned is the 3 events.

Originally posted by Ian ... This is not a welfare organization; you get what you earn. Right now the only thing you’ve earned is the 3 events. Anyone wanted to swim more than three events without making any NQT, Ian?

After watching this discussion go on for SO MANY weeks I feel I have to say something. The original post for this board was about NQTs for Nationals. This is a compelling and important topic that many of us have strong opinions about. Unfortunately this discussion has evolved into a series of statements and replies that have nothing to do with what was originally being covered here. If people are starting to take things so personally in which they feel the need to research every one's time and statements to prove truth or fiction, why don't y'all begin to discuss those issues amongst yourselves so we can keep this thread to its original intent. I am sorry if I sound harsh, I just feel I can't be the ONLY person who feels this way.

Originally posted by cjr ... I do agree that NQT's are good. I agree with having them. I do think they need to be adjusted. I think that using the 10% lower than the 10th place time from the previous year is not a good formula. There needs to be a better calculation/system for measurement purposes. ... ...I think if anyone wants to swim at Nationals, then they must have a NQT for each event you swim. No freebies,... ... So what new NQTs (that anyone who swims at the Nationals "...must have..." for each swim) do you have in mind?

Well supposing USMS made nqt,s was manderatory. What do you think would be the the amount of members would be? And how many more members would join. Also if you trained hard 4-5 times a week, and really want to go to the Natl,s.and you could not qualify? And how many people do you think would be at the nationals? More so should not hard work be reward?We all can not be as good as others . But we can be as good as we can be.:) :cool: :)

I agree that allowing three is enough. Personally, I like the smaller meets and just because you swim as a kid doesn't mean you make the standards- I only made one but maybe I'm a fat middle age woman who has lost a lot of strength. Oh,well.