Rules on Pacing

I also don't think anyone should be able to enter with "NT" (no time). Everyone should have some idea of how fast they'll swim a race, so just enter that guess. Roger that. It bugs me to see someone swim, say, 1:03, in the first heat of the 100 free right next to the nice 83-year old lady who seeded herself correctly at 3:03. S

Some people swim better when they're well ahead in a race with clean water on the sides. NT seeding would be a way to ensure that. I have absolutely zero patience for that behavior. -Rick

I don't think theres a problem with NT seeds unless it becomes obnoxious (i.e. an entire team swimming NT seeds). Some people swim better when they're well ahead in a race with clean water on the sides. NT seeding would be a way to ensure that. There are probably some legit cases for NTs: with beginner/novice swimmers, for example. But by and large, no. And entering NT just to get clean water is fairly reprehensible, IMO. Pool time is a precious commodity, and costs money. Plus I don't like to be at a meet any longer than necessary. I am swimming at a meet this weekend where they will probably have to say "no" to most deck entries because we are bumping right up against the allowed timeline for our event. Obvious sandbagging or incorrectly entering NTs lengthen the timeline, and are unsportsmanlike to boot (IMO). But this is a little off the original thread topic so I'll subside for now... :hijack:

I don't think theres a problem with NT seeds unless it becomes obnoxious (i.e. an entire team swimming NT seeds). Some people swim better when they're well ahead in a race with clean water on the sides. NT seeding would be a way to ensure that.

Roger that. It bugs me to see someone swim, say, 1:03, in the first heat of the 100 free right next to the nice 83-year old lady who seeded herself correctly at 3:03. S Agreed. It's not fun getting lapped on a 100. You start the race with the reasonable expectation that you have a fighting chance competing against the swimmer in the next lane; then you wonder what the heck went wrong with your own swim that you got smoked. It's almost like rubbing the noses of the slower swimmers who already know they're slow.

I have absolutely zero patience for that behavior. -Rick Not saying I do it, I just know it happens ALL the time ;)

Big deal. I bet 90% of seed times in masters meets are made up. Not trying to be argumentative but it is a big deal to us slow pokes who get drowned in the wake of someone who really shouldn't be in our heat.