College Swim Team Maybe???

Many college teams accept walk-ons. I'd just go for it; you'll improve a lot faster than if you try to workout on your own for a year. Besides, you only have four years. You need to get back in the water now--check out the posted workouts on this site. Good luck!

Many college teams except walk-ins but they prefer people that workout year-round. I hate to say this but an almost state swimmer doesn't cut it at the four year level. I swam in CIF way back in the 1970's in California which is the same as state. The only level of college that I was competitive at in swimming was community college. I know only few high school swimmers that have the natural talent that workout only during the school year that make it at swimming at the 4 year. If you want to swim in college go to a club team first and swim some age group meets. Also, try out at the community college level first if your state has a program or a slower 4 year.

I agree with Cynthia here. Join a USS team and get some coaching and some training.

It really depends on the school -- it's not likely that any one can walk on at Stanford or Texas. But Division III schools often depend on walk-ons or have no time standards. Even some Division I or II colleges are only in those divisions because of football or basketball and run their "minor sports" as if they were in Division III.

The College swim team I want to join has attainable times that I can reach with a little bit of hardwork and enthusiasm. With my times now I would not be one of the slowest swimmers on the college team but I would not be any of the fastest swimmer either. I started swimming competively when I was in the 10th grade. My times made me first and second within my division meet during my rookie year. The only times that I would train for swimming would be during the swimming season which lasted about 4 months. But when the next swimming year would come around I would shread more time off on all of my times. I consider swimming as one of my natural talents and now I look back and realize how dumb I was not to swim all year around because if I did I would be be even a faster swimmer. Its not that I wouldn't be good on a college team, I would like to just have even better times then I already have. I would like to try it all year around to see the improvements and I would like to add a little muscle on also in the process. If I join any of the community colleges here they will be just slowing me down. I just want to practice swimming really hard to see if I can still be an asset to a team like I once was. If I do not feel like my mind is in the right place over the course of my freshmen year I will just keep swimming to stay in shape. If I feel like I will make a contribution to the team and my mind is in the right place by the end of the year then I will join the 2004 team. Thank you for the comments and encouragement by the people who have responeded to my post. -Matt

Matt, I don't think you will make as much progress swimming/training by yourself as you would if you joined a team. If you don't want to do that, have you ever considered private coaching? I live in a very small town where there isn't a masters team--the closest one is a little over an hours drive. I work one-to-one with a local coach, once a week. She also gives me workout suggestions for the rest of the week. I have made considerable progress this way because each coaching session is tailored just for me--ablosutely nothing to hold me back! This option, however, is not the cheapest thing, and might be out of reach for a college student. I'd look into it though, that costs nothing.

You won't know until you try! I'd call or email the coach now and tell him you are interested in walking on, or practicing with the team. Swim as much as you can now until you get to school (I'm assuming that's this month, right?). Whether you will make the team depends on the team and what Division the school is in. If you do not make the team this year, find a good Masters team, or a USS team that would let you practice with them. Good luck!

Matt -- I'd second Shari's advice. Even if you're not ready (or don't feel ready) to join the team now, the coach could tell you what need to do to get ready or let you join some of the team's practices. The coach would really be the best person to advise you.

I disagree. I assume you are starting college in September; swimming with a USA Swimming team is not going to be practical during the school year (but will be very important in the summers). One of my coaches used to tell us not to limit ourselves. After all, you do have competitive swimming experience and had some degree of success at the high school level. You could really flourish under a good coach. I think you should give it a shot this year and try to make the team. At the very least you should talk to the coach. You may be surprised by his response. There are a lot of benefits to being part of a college team, not the least of which is easing the transition to college life. If you have time before school starts, by all means try to workout with a team to begin building an endurance base.

I forgot to mention that a girl I know just did this. She will be a freshman at an ivy-league school in the fall. She started competing in swimming in HS - later than most swimmers and I would also characterize her as a not-quite-state level competitor. Her times are still improving a lot, though they are not quite yet at the college level. She really wants to swim, and she emailed the coach at the University about it. He got back to her within a day, telling her to stop by to see him when she arrives at school and he can let her know whether there is a spot for her on the team, and/or whether she can practice on the team. He was very positive, though not commital since it all depends on the team's numbers. Thought a similar experience would be helpful in your planning. Again, good luck!