The meet has been getting less exclusive over time. Here are some examples on the number of competitors at each OT meet:
........
I've assumed this to be the case for years, since most of the current cuts are slower than 2004 cuts (and as you pointed out even earlier in some cases). I never looked at actual numbers until now.
....
Especially in the last 8 years, the number of qualifiers has increased much more than the membership growth. But that will happen when you make cuts slower even though suit technology and training methods are continuously improving. With most events having over 100 swimmers, I have to imagine cuts will be faster in 2016.
Gdanner,
Very interesting! I have followed the 50 free, and that's much easier since it started up in 1988. Cut seemed to drop every 3rd time, yet I was slightly flabbergasted they did not drop the cut this time, so it has been the same for 3 OT's
1988 26.89 (also available in SCY, SCM)
1992 26.89
1996 26.59
2000 26.59
2004 26.39
2008 26.39
2012 26.39
At one time I had written down how many qualified, but I lost that post-it note. It's probably on the bottom of a shoe somewhere in my closet. Anyway, it did follow the typical pattern of fewer every time time cut was dropped, and more the following year when it was the same. I really thought it would drop to 26.19 or 26.09 this time; so many girls go 25.99 or better.
I personally like a big OT meet. I think it gives many swimmers a chance to experience OTs and in many cases, they will be back for another OT or more. Giving as many USA swimmers a chance at the highest level can only help USA swimming overall. Plus, I am going to watch OTs and I want to see a bunch of swimming, not just 3 or 4 heats in an event!
And back to the thread topic, I really enjoy stories about the Janets, the Daras, and The Forts, and everyone else in masters swimming. There is always something that each person says/does that is so inspiring and makes you think about how you swim/train/approach swimming. I may not be faster on paper, but I think my swimming has an entirely new plane of awareness and thought that I never had when I was at my peak in college. It is so much fun!!!!!!!!!
The meet has been getting less exclusive over time. Here are some examples on the number of competitors at each OT meet:
........
I've assumed this to be the case for years, since most of the current cuts are slower than 2004 cuts (and as you pointed out even earlier in some cases). I never looked at actual numbers until now.
....
Especially in the last 8 years, the number of qualifiers has increased much more than the membership growth. But that will happen when you make cuts slower even though suit technology and training methods are continuously improving. With most events having over 100 swimmers, I have to imagine cuts will be faster in 2016.
Gdanner,
Very interesting! I have followed the 50 free, and that's much easier since it started up in 1988. Cut seemed to drop every 3rd time, yet I was slightly flabbergasted they did not drop the cut this time, so it has been the same for 3 OT's
1988 26.89 (also available in SCY, SCM)
1992 26.89
1996 26.59
2000 26.59
2004 26.39
2008 26.39
2012 26.39
At one time I had written down how many qualified, but I lost that post-it note. It's probably on the bottom of a shoe somewhere in my closet. Anyway, it did follow the typical pattern of fewer every time time cut was dropped, and more the following year when it was the same. I really thought it would drop to 26.19 or 26.09 this time; so many girls go 25.99 or better.
I personally like a big OT meet. I think it gives many swimmers a chance to experience OTs and in many cases, they will be back for another OT or more. Giving as many USA swimmers a chance at the highest level can only help USA swimming overall. Plus, I am going to watch OTs and I want to see a bunch of swimming, not just 3 or 4 heats in an event!
And back to the thread topic, I really enjoy stories about the Janets, the Daras, and The Forts, and everyone else in masters swimming. There is always something that each person says/does that is so inspiring and makes you think about how you swim/train/approach swimming. I may not be faster on paper, but I think my swimming has an entirely new plane of awareness and thought that I never had when I was at my peak in college. It is so much fun!!!!!!!!!
