I'm always interested in hearing about the USMS demographics, but I couldn't find any information on USMS and college swimming. I was wondering roughly what percentage of US Masters swimmers swam in college and at what level. I also wanted to hear from you where you went, when, and what you loved / hated most about college swimming.
Parents
Former Member
I started competitive swimming my last 2 years in HS and then swam my first 2 years in college. College swimming was 5 workouts/week, about 3000 yds each. There were no scholarships and it was a small group of walk-ons. My teammates were generally state HS swim championship finalists with a decade of experience. The minimal college training favored the sprinters; my strengths were in the longer events. Still, as a developmental swimmer my times were dropping rapidly. My second year of college swimming Title IX was happening and partial scholarships were offered. The field got a lot faster and I was no longer competitive despite making big improvements. Due to limited pool space and funding, I decided to quit since I couldn't make a contribution to the team.
Using the time standards in effect back then, I had borderline "A" time standards for age group swimmers in the distance free events when I started college. "BB" in other events. I never felt that I had reached my potential.
The team wasn't terribly cohesive. The only thing we did together was swim.
I started competitive swimming my last 2 years in HS and then swam my first 2 years in college. College swimming was 5 workouts/week, about 3000 yds each. There were no scholarships and it was a small group of walk-ons. My teammates were generally state HS swim championship finalists with a decade of experience. The minimal college training favored the sprinters; my strengths were in the longer events. Still, as a developmental swimmer my times were dropping rapidly. My second year of college swimming Title IX was happening and partial scholarships were offered. The field got a lot faster and I was no longer competitive despite making big improvements. Due to limited pool space and funding, I decided to quit since I couldn't make a contribution to the team.
Using the time standards in effect back then, I had borderline "A" time standards for age group swimmers in the distance free events when I started college. "BB" in other events. I never felt that I had reached my potential.
The team wasn't terribly cohesive. The only thing we did together was swim.
