Is that because there are only 20 schools with 4 good swimmers, or are the cuts that fast to reduce the number of heats?
The NCAA caps the total number of athletes at the championship meet. Realistically this means they need to limit the number of relay teams. Remember that only relay teams and swimmers who make the A cut are in for sure and those cuts are very tough. After that they fill in the remaining spots until they reach that magical total number of athletes.
Is that because there are only 20 schools with 4 good swimmers, or are the cuts that fast to reduce the number of heats?
The NCAA caps the total number of athletes at the championship meet. Realistically this means they need to limit the number of relay teams. Remember that only relay teams and swimmers who make the A cut are in for sure and those cuts are very tough. After that they fill in the remaining spots until they reach that magical total number of athletes.