USMS Virtual National Champion

So how much of a challenge will it be to sort out clubs from regional teams when the new scoring system is implemented next year? Would still love to see the data used in that manner as I'm sure it will help folks better understand who they are competing against. Being new to the discussion group, I didn't see this thread quoted until it was addressed again today on another thread. Last year Mike and I were interested in finding out how NOVA stacked up next to the other big teams in the country. We draw 100+ Nova swimmers to our Regional Championship but very few to Nationals and were simply curious. We had a data guy who swims on the team try to come up with a report for us. But they seemed to loose interest perhaps due to the amount of extra work. It appears Chris Stevenson already has a functioning worksheet as long as the teams are identified correctly. Would it help now that meet registration requires club no. and USMS no. in identifying where swimmers belong? We weren’t and are not interested in a virtual championship which races single teams against giant collections of programs under one team name. We wanted to see the big powerhouse single teams and the great regions of masters swimming from the results of the season. Relays had to be a part of the equation since that is part of team competition. Before anyone gets all excited and starts ranting on who cares about the giant powerhouse teams, consider this: Those big teams are doing something right in building and promoting masters swimming. The big powerhouse teams and regions may have something special going on like location or facilities or great year-round weather. But they can and should be called on to serve as mentors and to offer support in ways the much smaller programs might not be capable of offering. If your LMSC has 1 or 2 or 3 powerhouse teams, I hope everyone knows the coaches because they are very visible and contributing to the LMSC and USMS. I hope swimmers consider dropping into a practice at the powerhouse team every now and then for inspiration and ideas for their own clubs. Especially the unattached swimmers, who could find support in setting up their own new masters programs. And I hope the smaller teams find ways to challenge the powerhouses in relays, highpoint awards, records, and team spirit, etc. My LMSC is the SPMA in Southern California. There are some smaller clubs I always love to watch. Rose Bowl coming on strong with their enthusiastic coach Chad. LAPS and their great swimmers. The sleeping giant SCAQ in Los Angeles. The UCLA women swimmers who always make a show at meets. The Grunions who put on the most stellar of meets and support everyone. And my good and always present neighbors at UC Irvine, SoCal Aquatics, Fullerton, and Corona. Now about that “Virtual Championships”… I agree with Paul that a nationwide competition like this could build fantastic competition at Nationals. And real pride in masters swimming regionally. Another way to stoke the fire for USMS and then watch it spread like wildfire!

So how much of a challenge will it be to sort out clubs from regional teams when the new scoring system is implemented next year? Would still love to see the data used in that manner as I'm sure it will help folks better understand who they are competing against. Being new to the discussion group, I didn't see this thread quoted until it was addressed again today on another thread. Last year Mike and I were interested in finding out how NOVA stacked up next to the other big teams in the country. We draw 100+ Nova swimmers to our Regional Championship but very few to Nationals and were simply curious. We had a data guy who swims on the team try to come up with a report for us. But they seemed to loose interest perhaps due to the amount of extra work. It appears Chris Stevenson already has a functioning worksheet as long as the teams are identified correctly. Would it help now that meet registration requires club no. and USMS no. in identifying where swimmers belong? We weren’t and are not interested in a virtual championship which races single teams against giant collections of programs under one team name. We wanted to see the big powerhouse single teams and the great regions of masters swimming from the results of the season. Relays had to be a part of the equation since that is part of team competition. Before anyone gets all excited and starts ranting on who cares about the giant powerhouse teams, consider this: Those big teams are doing something right in building and promoting masters swimming. The big powerhouse teams and regions may have something special going on like location or facilities or great year-round weather. But they can and should be called on to serve as mentors and to offer support in ways the much smaller programs might not be capable of offering. If your LMSC has 1 or 2 or 3 powerhouse teams, I hope everyone knows the coaches because they are very visible and contributing to the LMSC and USMS. I hope swimmers consider dropping into a practice at the powerhouse team every now and then for inspiration and ideas for their own clubs. Especially the unattached swimmers, who could find support in setting up their own new masters programs. And I hope the smaller teams find ways to challenge the powerhouses in relays, highpoint awards, records, and team spirit, etc. My LMSC is the SPMA in Southern California. There are some smaller clubs I always love to watch. Rose Bowl coming on strong with their enthusiastic coach Chad. LAPS and their great swimmers. The sleeping giant SCAQ in Los Angeles. The UCLA women swimmers who always make a show at meets. The Grunions who put on the most stellar of meets and support everyone. And my good and always present neighbors at UC Irvine, SoCal Aquatics, Fullerton, and Corona. Now about that “Virtual Championships”… I agree with Paul that a nationwide competition like this could build fantastic competition at Nationals. And real pride in masters swimming regionally. Another way to stoke the fire for USMS and then watch it spread like wildfire!