From other threads it's seemed some people from small teams feel left out at Nationals because they don't have enough people for relays. How about not counting the relay points for the Small Team Awards and letting the small teams pool swimmers for relays. Pooled relays would not count for records or Top Ten but could win medals.
This thread started out with the assumption that small teams couldn't field relays and that the swimmers felt left out. As the thread progressed, places, points, and medals became the focus.
I belong to what I'd call a small team (not defined here) and we field a relay or 2 at Nationals. We do it for pride and not for points or medals. We're small but we're proud to represent our team in the total scheme of things.
If the small team is represented by fewer than 4 swimmers, that is one way to define a small team but perhaps pooling swimmers and lengthening the meet by several heats is not in the best interests of everyone.
Some people would rather have some time to rest or enjoy a new area and don't mind not being on a relay taking place at 5 or 6 or 7pm. A relay represents a "team", as someone else has noted, and not just as another opportunity to swim a 50.
One thing that does bother me though, is that swimmers able to compete on relays do have an additional opportunity to swim a better 50 or set a record than someone who does not have that option. Some people actually don't swim the event because they can get a time by leading off on a relay.
My two cents.
Nancy
This thread started out with the assumption that small teams couldn't field relays and that the swimmers felt left out. As the thread progressed, places, points, and medals became the focus.
I belong to what I'd call a small team (not defined here) and we field a relay or 2 at Nationals. We do it for pride and not for points or medals. We're small but we're proud to represent our team in the total scheme of things.
If the small team is represented by fewer than 4 swimmers, that is one way to define a small team but perhaps pooling swimmers and lengthening the meet by several heats is not in the best interests of everyone.
Some people would rather have some time to rest or enjoy a new area and don't mind not being on a relay taking place at 5 or 6 or 7pm. A relay represents a "team", as someone else has noted, and not just as another opportunity to swim a 50.
One thing that does bother me though, is that swimmers able to compete on relays do have an additional opportunity to swim a better 50 or set a record than someone who does not have that option. Some people actually don't swim the event because they can get a time by leading off on a relay.
My two cents.
Nancy
