I propose a rule change for the championship committee. If someone misses their heat at USMS Nationals due to general stupidity and day dreaming, they should be allowed to swim in an open lane in that same event.
John Smith
(2006 psuedo champion, 50yd back)
You know though, it IS a National Championship meet, not just any Masters meet, so I can understand not letting you swim when you missed your heat. They could have gotten real crabby and scratched you out of your next event. That is what happens to the age groupers!
I guess I look at things on the other side of the table. The table that runs the computer and timing system and what a nightmare it would be if it were allowed to let people swim when they miss their heats, especially if it happened a lot. That is when big mistakes happen and times get recorded wrong. At a championship, there should not be leeway for this IMHO.
You know though, it IS a National Championship meet, not just any Masters meet, so I can understand not letting you swim when you missed your heat. They could have gotten real crabby and scratched you out of your next event. That is what happens to the age groupers!
I guess I look at things on the other side of the table. The table that runs the computer and timing system and what a nightmare it would be if it were allowed to let people swim when they miss their heats, especially if it happened a lot. That is when big mistakes happen and times get recorded wrong. At a championship, there should not be leeway for this IMHO.
