2009 USMS Zone Championships

Part of it is that year in and year out it is the best run meet I have ever attended -- way better than any of the Nationals even. Positive check-in for every event means every heat is full and the folks putting on the meet get the heat sheets and results out faster than we really have any right to expect. Then, it is three days instead of two and the numbers mean plenty of time between events, so you can swim a lot of events. Three a day plus relays is pretty doable, and you can try new events out or swim everything you want to. On top of that, the numbers combined with seeding by gender and time but not age mean every heat is competitive, which is so much fun and pretty hard to find (at least around here). And the pool is fantastic. Plus, it is closer to New York than the Zones meet ever are, so NYC teams go too. The last weekend in March has become one of my faves because it means I will always be there. (Helps I had a good meet too this year.) But seriously, if you ever have a chance, GO. As a first timer at this meet I was tremendously impressed with the organization and the quality of the competition. Harvard's pool is a fast, quality venue for the meet, despite its advancing years. (A little like many of the competitors!) Plus all the modern technology live timing and web results stuff is great. Thank you Rick Osterberg and team!

Part of it is that year in and year out it is the best run meet I have ever attended -- way better than any of the Nationals even. Positive check-in for every event means every heat is full and the folks putting on the meet get the heat sheets and results out faster than we really have any right to expect. Then, it is three days instead of two and the numbers mean plenty of time between events, so you can swim a lot of events. Three a day plus relays is pretty doable, and you can try new events out or swim everything you want to. On top of that, the numbers combined with seeding by gender and time but not age mean every heat is competitive, which is so much fun and pretty hard to find (at least around here). And the pool is fantastic. Plus, it is closer to New York than the Zones meet ever are, so NYC teams go too. The last weekend in March has become one of my faves because it means I will always be there. (Helps I had a good meet too this year.) But seriously, if you ever have a chance, GO. As a first timer at this meet I was tremendously impressed with the organization and the quality of the competition. Harvard's pool is a fast, quality venue for the meet, despite its advancing years. (A little like many of the competitors!) Plus all the modern technology live timing and web results stuff is great. Thank you Rick Osterberg and team!