In the Nationals Forum their has been discussion about the decision to swim 200s at Nats by time only and not by age groups. forums.usms.org/showthread.php .Here is your chance to register your opinion for future reference.
Never for 50s or 100s. I think the time difference would be minimal. I could see 200 and up if there was one "final" heat" for each age group with lots of flexibility in the age groups that don't fill a heat. My strategy for the 400 IM last year at Greensboro (M65-69) was probably different because I was able to spot my competition than if I were in a heat of my seed time. And I probably wouldn't have been seeded next to an old foe who hadn't raced me side by side in 50 years!
Never for 50s or 100s. I think the time difference would be minimal. I could see 200 and up if there was one "final" heat" for each age group with lots of flexibility in the age groups that don't fill a heat. My strategy for the 400 IM last year at Greensboro (M65-69) was probably different because I was able to spot my competition than if I were in a heat of my seed time. And I probably wouldn't have been seeded next to an old foe who hadn't raced me side by side in 50 years!
