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.
Parents
Former Member
Matt,
Point taken, and I will admitt that I was a little conflicted and not totally sure of having a total solution. For my justification I looked at things in a simplistic american dream - if you are willing to do the work then you should have the oppurtunity to reap the rewards. Someone who wants to workout extra hard to be better then they should have that oppurtunity.
I coached High School swimming and water polo in So Cal - the fact is some High Schools recruited swimmers (which of course is against the rules), one neighboring High School even had a Canadian swimmer relocate (not an exchange student) just to train and swim at this public High School and local swim club. It is unfortunate that just like colleges, sometimes the win record is the only justification for a program. I was fortunate enough that our program had enough support that we openly accepted any swimmers (those that could barely swim 25 yards to save themselves to CIF qualifiers). Not everyone swam varsity, this was designated by merit (not just the fastest swimmers, sometimes we kept swimmers out because of discipline issues which allowed slower but harder working individuals swim).
If you changed the scenario with your daughter, say she played and trained volleyball since early grade school and now she was told she couldn't play for her High School because she was too good or she would have to choose between playing with her club team or the High School team (knowing that playing with her High School team will only get her exposure to college scouts but playing club will get her exposure to state,regional or national team scouts....okay its a bit simplistic but hopefully my point is taken) wouldn't you rather have her limits based upon her merits and abilities.
Matt,
Point taken, and I will admitt that I was a little conflicted and not totally sure of having a total solution. For my justification I looked at things in a simplistic american dream - if you are willing to do the work then you should have the oppurtunity to reap the rewards. Someone who wants to workout extra hard to be better then they should have that oppurtunity.
I coached High School swimming and water polo in So Cal - the fact is some High Schools recruited swimmers (which of course is against the rules), one neighboring High School even had a Canadian swimmer relocate (not an exchange student) just to train and swim at this public High School and local swim club. It is unfortunate that just like colleges, sometimes the win record is the only justification for a program. I was fortunate enough that our program had enough support that we openly accepted any swimmers (those that could barely swim 25 yards to save themselves to CIF qualifiers). Not everyone swam varsity, this was designated by merit (not just the fastest swimmers, sometimes we kept swimmers out because of discipline issues which allowed slower but harder working individuals swim).
If you changed the scenario with your daughter, say she played and trained volleyball since early grade school and now she was told she couldn't play for her High School because she was too good or she would have to choose between playing with her club team or the High School team (knowing that playing with her High School team will only get her exposure to college scouts but playing club will get her exposure to state,regional or national team scouts....okay its a bit simplistic but hopefully my point is taken) wouldn't you rather have her limits based upon her merits and abilities.
