This is my understanding of the rule:
As long as you can make the qualifying time, there's really no need to try to actually make it before the meet. Therefore, if your best 50 free time is three-tenths off the qualifying time, you can actually enter nationals at the qualifying time, and hope you swim faster than the qualifying time at nationals in order for it to be officially recognized in results.
So, Paul, if you're so close to the NQT in those three events, my suggestion is to enter at the qualifying time, pick three bonus events and train your butt off until taper for Austin.
Masters, unlike USAS, does not have a proof-of-time system in place to make sure every swimmer has swum faster than the qualifying time. It's on the honor system.
So, I wouldn't try to taper for a meet a month from nationals to "make the cut," then not be able to get back into form for nationals and not make the time.
Of course, if the situation is different, I ask for people to tell me so.
This is my understanding of the rule:
As long as you can make the qualifying time, there's really no need to try to actually make it before the meet. Therefore, if your best 50 free time is three-tenths off the qualifying time, you can actually enter nationals at the qualifying time, and hope you swim faster than the qualifying time at nationals in order for it to be officially recognized in results.
So, Paul, if you're so close to the NQT in those three events, my suggestion is to enter at the qualifying time, pick three bonus events and train your butt off until taper for Austin.
Masters, unlike USAS, does not have a proof-of-time system in place to make sure every swimmer has swum faster than the qualifying time. It's on the honor system.
So, I wouldn't try to taper for a meet a month from nationals to "make the cut," then not be able to get back into form for nationals and not make the time.
Of course, if the situation is different, I ask for people to tell me so.
