Will the rule ever change that regular teams compete against each other at Nationals? By this I mean that whole states (Colorado, Illinois, etc) come together as a team once a year. What about us "little" guys that always compete together (and work out at the same pool all year round)?
Why can't these huge "state" teams stay small and just be in the small or medium divisions like the rest of us?
(In my humble opinion- it's very humble- I don't see relays as a reason for this). Many teams don't have enough people for relays... that's the way it is.
Hey Karen, try this one on. I've been talking to one of the older gents, who is a Top 10 swimmer. Even with Illinois Masters, there aren't many quality swimmers around his age. So he has three choices: swim with a much younger relay (which is not an advantage for him or the rest of the relay), swim with a relay that won't get his competitive juices flowing, or just not swim relays at all. (When you say that teams should just accept it, I think you should try it sometime. :mad: Relays are one of the bonding experiences, and should not be given up without a fight.)
Turns out he found another option in the past: find time to practice sometimes with a deep California team that has more gents arond his age, and be part of that team for Nationals. (And yes, this decision was based entirely due to relays!)
For Indianapolis, IM has a large turnout, so this won't be an issue for him. But there have been other large meets where he has been frustrated by not being with a relay of his peers.
Hey Karen, try this one on. I've been talking to one of the older gents, who is a Top 10 swimmer. Even with Illinois Masters, there aren't many quality swimmers around his age. So he has three choices: swim with a much younger relay (which is not an advantage for him or the rest of the relay), swim with a relay that won't get his competitive juices flowing, or just not swim relays at all. (When you say that teams should just accept it, I think you should try it sometime. :mad: Relays are one of the bonding experiences, and should not be given up without a fight.)
Turns out he found another option in the past: find time to practice sometimes with a deep California team that has more gents arond his age, and be part of that team for Nationals. (And yes, this decision was based entirely due to relays!)
For Indianapolis, IM has a large turnout, so this won't be an issue for him. But there have been other large meets where he has been frustrated by not being with a relay of his peers.
