Swimming at USS meets

Amy, I too do USS meets and get alot of support from both the kids and the adults. You'll do fine.

I'm just curious: when adults swim at USS meets, how does that work? I thought such meets were divided into age groups (the masters' meets I've gone to are divided into seed times, but with so many different ages, I can see why). I have to admit I'm pretty ignorant of how USS meets are conducted. I ask because as Poolraat says, there don't seem to be a lot of masters' meets in my area, and so I'd like to get more meet opportunities. But I am VERY slow, so this might not be a good option for me, at least not yet.

If the meet is a senior meet age doesn't matter. You just have to make the qualifying time. If not, the top age group will usually be "and over," such as "13 and over" or "15 and over." Odds are you'll be twice the age of everyone else in your heat, but you do meet the "and over" criterion!

Thanks for the replies. I swam USS twenty years ago but I was out in Southern California and we did have a few "older" people who would be in meets occasionally. I'm in an area now where there really aren't many masters opportunities and I don't think many masters go to USS meets. Hopefully no one will notice me and I'll be able to get a short course time:blush:

I think you'll do fine. And you'll be surprised at the support you get from the young swimmers. My first swim meet (ever) was a USS meet I entered as a 49 year old. I do a few every year because masters meets are hard to get to sometimes but with my kids swimming I'm already at the USS meet so I might as well swim.

Hey Alison-- Thanks for asking but it's not until next weekend. I think it will be fine but odd since I don't really know anyone else there. I'll let you know. As long as I don't fall off the blocks or something I think it will end up being a good experience :drown: Amy Good luck this weekend! Alison

Amy, I may be in my 20s, but never having done USS prior, I signed up w/ a local team and did my very first USS meet (LCM distance meet) this past summer. I was the oldest by 7 years (except for the parents and officials), and completely dwarfed my competition. But that was not to say they wouldn't go down w/o a fight. I was in the 2nd fastest heat both times, swam WAY slower than that first heat (and some of the girls), and was almost mowed down by a 13y/o in the 800. I did feel like I stuck out, but I was so excited to be swimming in my very first USS meet that it didn't matter. Since my special friend is a coach for the team I signed up with, I sat and chatted with the kiddos, talking about summer league, vacations, school, summer reading, their workout groups, their coaches... I was just a slightly older, taller, hairier, less-cuter version of them! I am hoping to sign up again for 2008 and do another meet or two, maybe one where I get to finish DFL against the really fast 15+/17+ open groupers

Amy, how did it go? I'll be doing my first on in Nov. I'm nervous already about it. Alison

Amy, I may be in my 20s, but never having done USS prior, I signed up w/ a local team and did my very first USS meet (LCM distance meet) this past summer. I was the oldest by 7 years (except for the parents and officials), and completely dwarfed my competition. But that was not to say they wouldn't go down w/o a fight. I was in the 2nd fastest heat both times, swam WAY slower than that first heat (and some of the girls), and was almost mowed down by a 13y/o in the 800. I did feel like I stuck out, but I was so excited to be swimming in my very first USS meet that it didn't matter. That sums up how I think I'll probably feel. You all are making me feel less odd for wanting to swim at this meet. Thanks!!! Also, I'm not trying to discount those in their 20's but I think when you're under 30 people assume you might still be swimming USS. I'm hoping that, with a cap and goggles, maybe no one will notice me!:cool:

Dont worry, I have not swam in meets since high school. We are holding a meet next month and I have heard alot of the adults ranging from 25-63 say the same thing in masters. Just remember jump in and do your best. Everybody is nervous thats what brings out the best in us..Good Luck