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.
Alright already, GEEZ... you make a good point.
I do understand what you are saying. However, I do not think Nationals is all about the relays. Swimming is mostly an individual sport, as demonstrated by all of the individual events. And I still say it's not fair that entire states come together against "regular" teams.
Yes, I know Walnut Creek is a large team and we come from a huge swimming area (the East Bay), but that doesn't mean we always field relays at Nationals ourselves. In Michigan in 1996 we barely scraped one up for the medley, and didn't even have a free relay! Not to mention we had a 72 year old on our relay...
I also think relays are very exciting and they do get you pumped... I guess in my swimming experience relay teams have always been comprised of people on the same team who work out together. (But hey, this is Masters, we can do whatever ;) )
*the preceding is not necessarily the opinion of USMS, and any duplication or rebroadcast without the expressed written consent... (no idea where that came from!) Getting nervous for Nationals-not the swimming- the flying!!!!
PS Mark, I didn't say people should accept it, I said that's the way it is. I think it's great people haven't accepted it, I don't think it's fair, but that's the way it (people not accepting it) is ;)
Alright already, GEEZ... you make a good point.
I do understand what you are saying. However, I do not think Nationals is all about the relays. Swimming is mostly an individual sport, as demonstrated by all of the individual events. And I still say it's not fair that entire states come together against "regular" teams.
Yes, I know Walnut Creek is a large team and we come from a huge swimming area (the East Bay), but that doesn't mean we always field relays at Nationals ourselves. In Michigan in 1996 we barely scraped one up for the medley, and didn't even have a free relay! Not to mention we had a 72 year old on our relay...
I also think relays are very exciting and they do get you pumped... I guess in my swimming experience relay teams have always been comprised of people on the same team who work out together. (But hey, this is Masters, we can do whatever ;) )
*the preceding is not necessarily the opinion of USMS, and any duplication or rebroadcast without the expressed written consent... (no idea where that came from!) Getting nervous for Nationals-not the swimming- the flying!!!!
PS Mark, I didn't say people should accept it, I said that's the way it is. I think it's great people haven't accepted it, I don't think it's fair, but that's the way it (people not accepting it) is ;)
