I think its worst for girls to be denied decent practice. Many high school programs still have girls practice as much or even less yardage than master teams. I read this on the net, that one girl commented that they only practice 2,000 yards, while the boys I remember in high school had workouts of yardage between 5,000 to 10,000 befored they tapered. So, this ruling hurts girl swimmers more. This is the state of Missouri of course. This is from Phillip Whitten on the swimming world news on the internet. We complain about college programs being elimnated for boys or young men but what about the unfair treatment of girls in high school sports that can't practice on a USA swim Team during their high school years.
I've gotta say I disagree with many of you. I think a swimmer who decides to represent his or her HS team should devote all their time to that program, and not practice with their club and just go to the HS meets. High school swimming is often the first chance a swimmer has to be part of a true team experience, where you rely on your teammates as well as yourself to win meets. If you are a half-hearted member of your HS team, you're cheating yourself out of a great experience. I'm sure this is the spirit of the rule in many of the states that have this rule: they don't want "virtual teams" where the team members only get together for the competitions.
If your high school team doesn't afford the level of competition or training that you require, then by all means opt for the club team, but I don't think it's best to sit on both sides of the fence. Choose one or the other.
Remember that the high school season is pretty short. I remember when I was in HS in the '80s it was from November to early March, so it's not like you're sacrificing your entire swimming career to swim HS.
I've gotta say I disagree with many of you. I think a swimmer who decides to represent his or her HS team should devote all their time to that program, and not practice with their club and just go to the HS meets. High school swimming is often the first chance a swimmer has to be part of a true team experience, where you rely on your teammates as well as yourself to win meets. If you are a half-hearted member of your HS team, you're cheating yourself out of a great experience. I'm sure this is the spirit of the rule in many of the states that have this rule: they don't want "virtual teams" where the team members only get together for the competitions.
If your high school team doesn't afford the level of competition or training that you require, then by all means opt for the club team, but I don't think it's best to sit on both sides of the fence. Choose one or the other.
Remember that the high school season is pretty short. I remember when I was in HS in the '80s it was from November to early March, so it's not like you're sacrificing your entire swimming career to swim HS.
