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?
Have they changed this to include the Virginia public schools? When I swam in it (admittedly 20+ years ago), it only included the Maryland/DC public and private schools and the VA private schools only. It was always a very fast meet. I went a 56 in the 100 fly one year and got second.
It does not appear that VA is in here. I believe this meet was put together in part because the MD kids had no state meet (I believe this year's is the 2nd or 3rd year it's happened) and MoCo Public Schools wanted a chance to compete against all the private school kids.
Great meet this year - a LOT of records were broken, and best part is that UMD is getting one of the recordbreakers!
Results
Too Bad Gonzaga didn't win.
I agree with Kurt. I don't think token swimming accomplishes anything positive although I'm sure someone can rationalize the benefits (I'd like to read them). Coach T.
Aqua,
In Texas, you could be the fastest swimmer in the world and if you were sick or missed a turn, you're out. I like the idea that once you've qualified you can swim in the prelims.
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'm in Michigan and i love the qual time idea because My county (Macomb) is fast, to get first in your event you need a D-1 state cut minimum pretty much. like our IM winner went a 2 flat, we had 3 back strokers go 55's, 100 *** winners go 1:03... and other crazy stuff.
