• Replies 5 replies
  • Subscribers 14 subscribers
  • Views 1413 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related

2026 Summer Nationals event cap

09433

I’m curious how others feel about the event caps at Summer Nationals this year.

I understand the need to keep the meet timeline manageable. My concern isn’t that events were capped—it’s that there didn’t seem to be any advance information about which events were likely to fill or how the capacities would be managed.

I was surprised to find that all of the events over 100 meters were already closed while shorter events remained open. Without knowing that ahead of time, it felt like registration became a race to click “submit” rather than an opportunity to register for the events you’ve trained all season to swim.

In my opinion, USMS should have published estimated event capacities or identified events that were likely to fill quickly before registration opened. I think having that information would allow swimmers to make more informed decisions and would make the registration process feel more transparent.

I’m interested to hear what others think and whether anyone else was caught off guard by the event caps.

Parents

  • We understand that having to cap entries is not a popular option. The caps are put in place to ensure that the meet is enjoyable and manageable for those participating and the volunteers. The possibility of caps on 200s and longer is in the rule book and the published meet information. From 104.5.3.C(2), the Championship Committee may choose to put an entry cap on events 200 yards/meters and longer.

    We are excited that many people entered early. However, this meant that caps needed to go in place earlier. We are continuing to look for other ways to limit the timelines for future National meets. We do appreciate your feedback. 

  • in reply to Erin Sizelove

    You've stated your 'position'. I'd like to request that the NO or the Championship Committee do an analysis of the application of caps at LCM Nationals (say over the past 20 years). Year, meet, location, and how many days the meet ran 1) when was the cap imposed - days from cutoff,  2)  what events were capped, eg 'distance' 1,500 and 800, the 400's if different, and the 200 events.3) the projected timeline at the day caps were imposed and the final timeline once waitlist swimmers are moved into the meet, 4) number of people per event moved from the waitlist to the event, 5 ) and comparative data for how long the meet 'should be' for each day--this info would show if the planning parameters have changed. That's what I can think of right now to have a transparent approach to something that seems like such a big change and such an impact on our athletes. I'm happy to discuss my ideas with the NO staff or championship committee members.  You know where to find me. Thanks for considering.  Sarah

Reply
  • in reply to Erin Sizelove

    You've stated your 'position'. I'd like to request that the NO or the Championship Committee do an analysis of the application of caps at LCM Nationals (say over the past 20 years). Year, meet, location, and how many days the meet ran 1) when was the cap imposed - days from cutoff,  2)  what events were capped, eg 'distance' 1,500 and 800, the 400's if different, and the 200 events.3) the projected timeline at the day caps were imposed and the final timeline once waitlist swimmers are moved into the meet, 4) number of people per event moved from the waitlist to the event, 5 ) and comparative data for how long the meet 'should be' for each day--this info would show if the planning parameters have changed. That's what I can think of right now to have a transparent approach to something that seems like such a big change and such an impact on our athletes. I'm happy to discuss my ideas with the NO staff or championship committee members.  You know where to find me. Thanks for considering.  Sarah

Children
No Data