MEET INFORMATION

The events at a swim meet include:

• Freestyle
• Backstroke
• Breaststroke
• Butterfly
• Individual medley (IM)
• Medley relay
• Free relay

During Willow hosted dual meets, 5/6 and 7/8 compete first in event order: 5/6 free relay, 7/8 medley relay, 7/8 free relay, freestyle, back, breast (7/8s), butterfly (7/8s). 

9 and older compete in the following order in order of age with girls first followed by boys:

• Medley relay
• IM (only 11+)
• Freestyle
• Backstroke
• Breaststroke
• Butterfly
• Free relay

In a dual meet, each swimmer may only compete in a total of 4 events (3 individual and 1 relay). The coaches determine which events to place your swimmer - balancing 1) what stroke your swimmer is best at and 2) how to earn the most points to maximize the team’s chances to win a meet.

• 10 & under swimmers will swim one length of the pool – 25 yds/ meters.
• 11 & up swimmers will swim two laps – or 50 yds/meters - in the individual events.
• 11 & up individual medleys and relays will be either 100 yds/meters or 200 yds/meters depending upon the age group.

MEET SCORING:

• Individual events: only the first heat will receive points for the team (1^st place – 7 points, 2^nd place – 5 points, 3^rd place – 4 points, 4^th place – 3 points, 5^th place – 2 points, 6^th place – 1 point)
• Relays: in a dual meet, only 1st place earns point (14 points). In finals, all lanes earn points and the points are doubled.  

The outcome of the meet as well as the times of each swimmer and event will be provided the morning following a meet.

CHECK-IN

Check in with the coaches as soon as you arrive at a meet (EVERY SWIMMER HAS TO CHECK IN). Once checked in, coaches will write information on your child’s back and arm. Your child will then be called back at warm up time. MAKE SURE TO NOT APPLY SUNSCREEN TO YOUR SWIMMER’S ARM/SHOULDER BEFORE THEY CHECK IN! Their competitor number will rub off and mess up their times for the computer.

SWIM NUMBER

Your child’s swimmer number will be written on their hand & bank and will follow them throughout the season. We will also write number of events on your child’s forearm. These numbers will designate the swimming event your child is swimming. The events will be called over the megaphone at the ready bench.

READY BENCH

Ready Bench is where swimmers line up to prepare to walk over for their events. Coaches run the ready bench. Swimmers will come to the ready bench when they hear their event number called. This is the number that is written on their arm. Please make sure your swimmer is listening and near the ready bench, so they do not miss their event.

WHAT TO BRING TO A MEET:

Bring goggles, swim cap, towels, chairs/ or blankets, sunscreen, and bug spray.