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what percentage of swimmers competed in college?

Michael Martin
Does anyone know the percentage of ex-college swimmers vs. non-college swimmers competing at Nationals? Also does anyone know the number or percentage of people new to swimming who have gone on to swim at Nationals?
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    Me: USS (yeah, back in the day) until age 17 High School College (Division III) all four years Seven year break USMS since 1999 One AZ State Record Three National meets Countless good times
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    0 Former Member
    Me: USS (yeah, back in the day) until age 17 High School College (Division III) all four years Seven year break USMS since 1999 One AZ State Record Three National meets Countless good times Doug, Did you have relatives, that you know of, who went to Knox College in Galesburg, IL?
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    AAU - 7 years College - 1 year walk on at UT USMS - 10 years - SCY Nats 1991 Austin Sloth - 14 years Currently dragging the body back into the pool. Was competative in the AAU Sr. Circuit in 100 & 200 *** in Texas (usually in top 10). Managed to qualify for the circuit in the 50 free also which then let me swim any event that I wanted to add at a Sr. meet. Did a 400 IM and qualified for TAGS (Age Group State) with the 100 fly split and the 400 time but somewhere along the way they dropped a piano on me - the free split was same as the *** split). Walked on at UT in 1976 only to find that my room mate & I were #s 5 & 6 in the *** stroke ranks and #1 was a sophmore. This was the last semester of training at Gregory Gym (33 yards w bulkhead). Did get to score a couple of points for the team in conference qualifying meet, but did not make the conference squad. Coach suggested that I work towards a fly spot on the team. I dropped my 100 fly time below my best 100 free. After changing majors my sophmore year and looking at all the new talent, I decided to drop from the team. Swam Masters from age 25 to 34 in Midland Tx and Austin (Sports Psych). Moved to Houston and just lost the desire to train. Now much heavier and with a cardiologist on retainer, I am back in the pool again. Currently training on my own and working on building a base. Work has a travel component, so I am looking for locations to swim in West & South Texas and Eastern New Mexico. Will I swim at a Nationals again? Don't know, I am about to age up into the 50 to 55 age bracket and I can see that attrition has narrowed the number of competitors. Right now I just want to get back ina regular 3k per session 4 x per week routine and see where I am at in a few months. Don
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    Nada. No such opportunity back in the 60's Took a 40 year break from swimming and returned as an elder statesperson. Swam in recreation programs and AAU competitions for four years as well as the GAA (Girls' Athletic Association) in high school where most of our racing was 25 yards.
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    USMS is great for its majority of swimmers, that is, those who missed out on any competing as an individual in their lives, learned to swim later in life, love it, and discovered they love the wellness and friendship circles, with some competing. NCAA swimmers were there, did all that starting at 5,6 years of age, hit the elite circuits in age group swimming, were recruited into top schools, or walked on.. into 2 workouts a day, weights, ... near professional athletes at high level NCAAs. Competing? They did that.

    Elite swimmers' aim is to bring new swimmers into the sport, develop friendships, experience swim-based wellness, travel, long term friendships,  fellowship. ;) 

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    Just started swimming in July 2023 at age 66. No college or high swimming. Recently joined USMS in September 2023. Trying to qualify for nationals 2024. 

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    My estimate is 75% of competitors at USMS Nationals Swam in College. I estimate 25% of competitors at USMS Nationals are new to Swimming..    So - what are the actual numbers? 

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    I think this would be a great survey question to have on a nationals entry form. I didn’t swim in college only briefly in high school and didn’t start swimming competitively again until 2005. I actually went back to my first coaches team and swam with teenagers in my 30’s. I’d be curious to see what the percentage is of college swimmers vs non 

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    Wayne State 50 & 100.. Down and back.. In and out.. Loved swimming in college..

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    I wasn’t even a h.s. swimmer. Although I was already a very capable swimmer at that time. I was a track and CC distance runner in h.s. However, one year during the swimming portion of Phys. Ed. class that was being taught by the swim team coach, he had us swim various distances for time. I was always the first to finish right behind the swim team members. He asked me “Why aren’t you on my swim team?” — Dan

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