Why is it that Masters level swimmers who participate in USS sanctioned meets under a separate USS registration can't have their times automatically qualify for USMS rankings and USMS National records? What is the reason for this separation? The rules with USMS and USS seem parallel enough to allow USS swims to qualify under USMS ranking and records. Do we care if elite older swimmers in their 30's (say Gary Hall Jr.) effectively end up owning the USMS national record by default? Is USMS afraid of merging to closely with USS? Why wouldn't USMS want to recognize the true best performance by and old man/women in the pool regardless of whether their card said USS or USMS on it?
John Smith
Paul:
I agree completely with you that mediocrity, political correctness and enhancing kids' self esteem by constantly telling them how wonderful they are have taken over the world. Similarly, kids now do so many activities that they don't strive for excellence in anything. I have told my kids to do the opposite and take an "angular" rather take a "diffuse" approach to life. I don't care if they're on the school yearbook committee one iota. I just want them to attempt to be really good at something. The world revolves around winning, like it or not. To say it ain't so is to handicap your child.
And you are right that masters swimmers should not be exempt from that reality. Thankfully, we can define "winning" in different and individual ways as you suggested -- whether its finishing their first 10K swim, doing a personal best, setting a record or becoming more fit. I personally feel pretty darn pleased with myself that I didn't quit swimming after horrific battles with tendonitis my entire first year back.I guess that's why, after mulling it over, I ultimately agreed with your conclusions about USMS records. I just felt like other people might feel differently, and as every has said, this is a site for expressing your views!
Paul:
I agree completely with you that mediocrity, political correctness and enhancing kids' self esteem by constantly telling them how wonderful they are have taken over the world. Similarly, kids now do so many activities that they don't strive for excellence in anything. I have told my kids to do the opposite and take an "angular" rather take a "diffuse" approach to life. I don't care if they're on the school yearbook committee one iota. I just want them to attempt to be really good at something. The world revolves around winning, like it or not. To say it ain't so is to handicap your child.
And you are right that masters swimmers should not be exempt from that reality. Thankfully, we can define "winning" in different and individual ways as you suggested -- whether its finishing their first 10K swim, doing a personal best, setting a record or becoming more fit. I personally feel pretty darn pleased with myself that I didn't quit swimming after horrific battles with tendonitis my entire first year back.I guess that's why, after mulling it over, I ultimately agreed with your conclusions about USMS records. I just felt like other people might feel differently, and as every has said, this is a site for expressing your views!
