Swim Meet Info
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Dual Meets

Dual meet attendance is very important - we need a high turnout so our team can be as strong at meets as possible (and have a better chance to win!).  Please email Coach Justin - jcspitzer@yahoo.com - ASAP if you will miss any upcoming meets.

Dual Meets are head-to-head match-ups with another team from our division.  Most meets begin at 8:00am (home) or 8:30am (most away meets).  In the hour before the start, each team is given time to warm-up in the pool, so swimmers need to arrive well before the actual start time.

Races are held in 5 different age groups: 8 & under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18.  Boys and girls compete separately but the overall score includes both.

Most meets begin with medley relays, where 4 swimmers swim together (one at a time), each one swimming a different stroke.  

What to bring

2 towels
Chairs/blankets to sit on
any caps/goggles you need
sunscreen
warm clothes to wear between races
things to do - games, cards, books, music, toys, etc.

There will be down time between races, but that allows for games and socializing.  Parents usually sit along the side of the pool in chairs (bring your own), while most swimmers sit behind the shallow end of the pool (home meets), on blankets/towels under large canopies provided by the team and some familes.  Be sure to bring sunscreen though, as not everyone may be able to fit under the tents.

Parent volunteers are needed to help the meet run smoothly - please donate your time to help out.  Also, please help us keep the pool area clean by picking up after yourself and cleaning up your area before you leave.

For home meets, we have a large and well-stocked concession stand that also serves as one of our primary fund-raisers.

Order of events: (each starts with 8 & unders, then moves up to older age groups)

1. Medley relays (sometimes)
2. Individual Medleys (each swimmer swims 4 laps, one of each stroke)
            all age groups except 8 & unders
3. Freestyle (one lap for 8 & unders, 2 for everyone else)
4. Backstroke (ditto)
5. 100 Freestyle (4 laps) - all age groups except 8 & unders
6. Breaststroke (one lap for 8 & unders, 2 for everyone else)
7. Butterfly (one lap for 8 & unders, 2 for everyone else)
8. Freestyle relays

For each event, each team can enter 3 swimmers in the "live" heat that counts for points.  Afterward, there are often "exhibition" heats which are timed, and earn ribbons, but don't count for points.  This allows all swimmers to participate. At 8 lane pools such as Annville, we can have 4 swimmers in the 'live' heat of each race.

Each swimmer is limited to 3 individual events and one relay or 2 individual events and 2 relays.  For dual meets, Coach Justin determines the lineup based on each swimmer's strengths and the lineup that gives the team the best opportunity to score the maximum number of points.  A great deal of time and effort goes into the lineup, especially for close meets.  Swimmers will sometimes be asked to swim events they don't like, all we ask is that you do your best.  If there are events you'd like to try, let Justin know and he'll do his best to accommodate you, but the best interests of the team must be considered also.