I coached in both Texas and Mich. In Texas the best swimmers are not represented in the State meet but rather a few representatives are sent from each district. Super fast districts could only send their allotment. In Michigan if you hit the qualifying time during the season, you were in automatically. I think qualifying times are the way to go. I wonder why every state couldn't do qualifying times and add token swimmers from slower districts to maintain the status quo? What other states are like Texas (may only send a district allotment)? I can't believe Texas hasn't changed to qualifying standards! What do you think?
I coached in both Texas and Mich. In Texas the best swimmers are not represented in the State meet but rather a few representatives are sent from each district. Super fast districts could only send their allotment. In Michigan if you hit the qualifying time during the season, you were in automatically. I think qualifying times are the way to go. I wonder why every state couldn't do qualifying times and add token swimmers from slower districts to maintain the status quo? What other states are like Texas (may only send a district allotment)? I can't believe Texas hasn't changed to qualifying standards! What do you think?
Arizona has qualifying standards but then divides schools based on population (i.e. 3-A, 4-A, 5-A). The best swimmers are usually 4-A and 5-A, both swimming at ASU but in different pools, resulting in watered down crap. Often times there is a great swimmer in 4-A and one in 5-A who don't even get to race each other. I'm not sure why token slow swimming is even needed at the state level--there are plenty of dual meets and regionals to nab some of that coveted self-esteem. There should be one state meet and the best 16 in each event should be there.
I coached in both Texas and Mich. In Texas the best swimmers are not represented in the State meet but rather a few representatives are sent from each district. Super fast districts could only send their allotment. In Michigan if you hit the qualifying time during the season, you were in automatically. I think qualifying times are the way to go. I wonder why every state couldn't do qualifying times and add token swimmers from slower districts to maintain the status quo? What other states are like Texas (may only send a district allotment)? I can't believe Texas hasn't changed to qualifying standards! What do you think?
Arizona has qualifying standards but then divides schools based on population (i.e. 3-A, 4-A, 5-A). The best swimmers are usually 4-A and 5-A, both swimming at ASU but in different pools, resulting in watered down crap. Often times there is a great swimmer in 4-A and one in 5-A who don't even get to race each other. I'm not sure why token slow swimming is even needed at the state level--there are plenty of dual meets and regionals to nab some of that coveted self-esteem. There should be one state meet and the best 16 in each event should be there.
