Know Your Meet Format: Timed Finals vs. Prelim/Final
- Not all meets are the same! Some are timed finals (you swim once), while others are prelim/final (you swim in the morning to try to qualify for evening finals).
- Here’s how it typically breaks down—but remember: some meets make exceptions.
- Always check the Meet Info!
Meet Type: Timed Finals
- What it Means:
- Each swimmer competes in an event once—no prelims or finals.
- Their time from that one swim determines their final placing.
- Why It Matters:
- There’s no second chance—every swim counts!
Meet Type: Prelim/Final
- What it Means:
- Swimmers race in the morning prelims to try to qualify for the evening finals.
- The fastest swimmers from prelims (Top 8, 16, or 24) return to compete in finals for placement.
- Why It Matters:
- Energy management and race strategy become important.
- Swimmers must qualify have a second swim in finals.
Meet Type: Combined Timed Final & Prelim/Final
- What it Means:
- Mixed format meets combine timed finals and Prelim/Final format (examples):
- 10 & Under: timed finals (one swim only)
- 11 & Over: prelim/finals for selected events
- Long events (e.g., 400 IM, 500 Free): timed finals for all
- Mixed format meets combine timed finals and Prelim/Final format (examples):
- Why It Matters:
- Format depends on age and events
Read meet info carefully.
TIME STANDARDS AKA QUALIFYING TIMES NEEDED OR CUTS
⏱️ Get to Know Cut Times AKA as Time Standards / Qualifying Times Needed
- “Qualifying times” are time standards swimmers must meet for qualifying meets.
- Your swimmer's age matters throughout the season because the first day of each meet determines your swimmer's competition age during that meet!
- Examples:
- MVS (Missouri Valley Swimming) Time Standards – District/Senior/AG Championships
- These standards will be updated mid September
- National Age Group Motivational Times (See below)
- National Single Age Motivational Times (See below)
- ISCA – Florida National Meet Standards
- These standards will be updated October
- MVS (Missouri Valley Swimming) Time Standards – District/Senior/AG Championships
MVS (Missouri Valley Swimming) - TIME STANDARDS - To Be Published in September
USA SWIMMING MOTIVATIONAL TIMES - SCY - AGE GROUPS i.e. 10&Under / 11-12 / 13-14 / etc
- Below pictures are the AGE GROUP
- Locate your swimmers age to determine AGE Group (the first day of the specific meet attending)
- Locate SCY events, bold in the center column (short course yards)
- Additional distances CLICK HERE
USA SWIMMING MOTIVATIONAL TIMES - SCY - SINGLE AGE TIMES i.e. 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / etc
- Locate your swimmers age (the first day of the specific meet attending)
- Locate SCY events, bold in the center column (short course yards)
- CLICK HERE for Single Age
