Assigned Events for Meets and Medal/County Times

Hey all, 

Assigned Events at Meets

A couple of families have asked why their swimmer is not in every event tomorrow.  I should have mentioned this in yesterday's email.  At  Saturday dual meets, swimmers are limited to 3 individual events.   At Wednesday afternoon meets, swimmers are usually limited to 2 individual events (this varies, sometimes it is still 3.)  Some swimmers will also be assigned to relays.  Relays are generally assigned based on swimmers' times, with the fastest four swimmers being assigned to the A relay, the next 4 swimmers assigned to the B relay, etc.

The coaches pick what events your swimmer will participate in.  This is dictated by your swimmer's ability and also where it strategically makes sense for them to swim.  Over the couse of the season, most swimmers will eventually swim in every event several times.  Individual swimmers who finish in the top 3 of their event score points for the team (first place = 5 points, 2nd place = 3 points, and third place = 1 point).  Relays are worth more points than individual events.  Swim is an individual sport, but more importantly, it is a team sport!  

If you want your swimmer to get more experience and swim more events, this is the perfect reason to sign them up for the invitational meets.  At invitationals, you pick what events your swimmer participates in.

Medal and County/Gold Times

On the meet sheet and on meet results, you will also notice "Medal Times" and County/Gold Times.  Medal times (bronze, silver, honor) are Stingray designated benchmarks for swimmers to shoot for.  Swimmers know that as they get faster, they will move up the chart and have these times noted on Stingray Meet Sheets/Results.  County/Gold Times are a standard time set for all teams that participate in Contra Costa County Championship Meet.  County Championship Meet is one of the largest rec swim meets in the country and takes place in August.  Swimmers must swim a qualifying time to participate in County and it is the goal of many of our fastest swimmers each year.  The qualifying times are fast and very difficult to achieve.  Swimmers who meet this standard will be seen wearing their "Gold Caps" in the pool.  New this year, we also have a "Rays" Time.  This is one step above a County Time.  Again, this is a Stingray designated time, meant to honor those swimmers who don't just achieve, but smash, a County Time and take it to the next level.     

Medal and County Times are posted on our website and also on the fence at the pool near the snack bar.