Seven Oaks

Swim Meet 101

• Declare Attendance: You must declare that your child is attending each swim meet by Noon on the Friday before the meet. The good news is you can go ahead and declare for all of the meets at the beginning of the season! This is done on the Swimtopia site/app. Swimmers must declare attendance in order to be seeded into a heat and lane at the swim meet. If you do not declare by the deadline, your child will not be able to participate in the meet.

• Arm Marking: All 10 and Under swimmers must have their last name written down their arm vertically in all caps and in black sharpie. This is our identification system. All swimmers must have their event, heat, lane marking on their inner forearm. More instructions will be sent out before Time Trials!

• Heats: During swim meets, athletes are divided into groups called heats. Everyone that steps up to the diving block at the same time is part of the same group or heat. Within each heat, your child will be assigned a lane to swim in. In summer league, each team is allowed to place three swimmers in the first heat, which is also referred to as the main event. These six swimmers will race, and the top three will score.

• Scoring and Ribbons: Points are only scored in the main event. 1st place = 5 points, 2nd place = 3 points, 3rd place = 1 point. In relays, only 1st place scores, and it is worth 5 points. Main events are judged by stroke and turn officials who disqualify swimmers as necessary. 1st-6th place ribbons are awarded to main heat swimmers. These ribbons are placed in the swimmer’s family folder, and can be picked up a day or two after the meet. The winner of each 10 and under event from the 2nd heat forward receives a heat winner ribbon, and the other winners in the heat receive participant ribbons. The heat winner is determined by the volunteer distributing the heat ribbons. These ribbons are handed out as the swimmers exit the pool from their respective heats.

• Meet Emails: Coach Melissa sends an email with pertinent information before each meet. Please read these emails carefully and take note of important specifics such as time and location.

• Parent Volunteer Requirement: We require all parents to volunteer at least three times throughout the season. Lauren Gentile is our volunteer coordinator, and we will send out more information about this requirement during the season. We appreciate your support! Please see the parent volunteer tab for more information. 

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