first of all, congrats to the meet directors and all the volunteers on a job well done. so organized and efficient!! very impressive. the only thing i wish someone could explain to me is why the usms champ. committee changed the team scoring from large, medium and small team to clumping everyone in the same category. seems extremely unfair to have what i call "real teams" competing against state mega teams. there is no possibility for "real teams" to ever come close to competing against them. if you are going to give team awards at the end of the meet, is there any way you can do it fairly? our team is extremely proud to have gotten as many team members as we did to go to natls. (most of them for the first time), but unfortunately they were very disillusioned (as was i) with the idea that we would be competing against state teams. as one of the coaches i didn't have an explanation. even though we were very proud of our 7th place finish in men's division, and our 12th place in combined, we were only one of a few "real teams" in the top ten. would appreciate responses. maybe even someone from the champ.committee could explain how they felt this scoring system would be more fair to the majority of swimmers. then i can pass it along to my teammates.. i don't want them to be so disillusioned that they lose interest in attending any future natls. thanks
I am but one folk, I realize. And it doesn't seem like too many people are jumping in here. It isn't surprising though since less than 1% of USMS members actually compete!
I will be clear, I hope: I want to see Regional vs Local Club (1-10 combined only). Reason: Keep it simple. And that's only 20 awards.
I don't really care if there is a SML, however in an effort to keep National scoring simple I don't recommend it. Plus, that method of putting into categories always ticks somebody off! And if you look at past Nationals, I have seen teams in the Small category OUTSCORE those in the Medium division.
No one can argue with Regional vs. Local Club because you are in either one category or the other. You bring lots of people who might score, or a few that score highly, or a bunch that will score! Build your competitive National team or don't. But this way everybody knows going in what category they will be in. No surprises, no upset people.
I am but one folk, I realize. And it doesn't seem like too many people are jumping in here. It isn't surprising though since less than 1% of USMS members actually compete!
I will be clear, I hope: I want to see Regional vs Local Club (1-10 combined only). Reason: Keep it simple. And that's only 20 awards.
I don't really care if there is a SML, however in an effort to keep National scoring simple I don't recommend it. Plus, that method of putting into categories always ticks somebody off! And if you look at past Nationals, I have seen teams in the Small category OUTSCORE those in the Medium division.
No one can argue with Regional vs. Local Club because you are in either one category or the other. You bring lots of people who might score, or a few that score highly, or a bunch that will score! Build your competitive National team or don't. But this way everybody knows going in what category they will be in. No surprises, no upset people.
