USA QUALIFYING TIME STANDARDS
What to know about these time standards.
*Swimmers will swim in the age group based on their age the first day of the meet. For example, if your swimmer is presently 12, and by the first day of their meet will be 13, your swimmer will need to earn times for 14 and under swimmers.
*For winter season, please look at the YARDS (SCY) time. *For those who swam in any LC meets, you can also compare your LCM times. SCY times will be accepted for LCM, pending they meet the SCY time standard.
*Swimmers can earn bonus events as long as he/she has one cut and the meet the parameters of the bonus events.
*NT will not be accepted in season ending championship meets.
*10 and Under Championships are time finaled swims. Silvers, Juniors, and Seniors are prelim/finals. This means that if your swimmer earns the top 16 or maybe top 24, he/she will swim that event again in the evening. Swimmers are not charged to swim in finals.
MOTIVATIONAL TIME STANDARDS
2024- 2028 Age Group Motivational Time Standards
AAAA: Top 2% of swimmers in your age group, nationally.
AAA: Top 6% of swimmers in your age group, nationally.
AA: Top 8% of swimmers in your age group, nationally.
A: Top 15% of swimmers in your age group, nationally.
BB: Top 35% of swimmers in your age group, nationally
B: Top 55% of swimmers in your age group, nationally
MOTIVATIONAL TIMES — KEEP IN MIND
1. Regular Practice Attendance
Consistent training and technique refinement are key to achieving your motivational times. Show up, stay focused, and make every practice count.
2. Monitor Your Progress
Track your performance at practices and meets. Knowing where you stand helps you understand what’s working and what needs adjustment.
3. Set Realistic Goals
Motivational times are great benchmarks, but remember to set goals that fit you — your current strengths, challenges, and rate of improvement.
4. Understand Your Age Group Position
If you’re at the bottom of an age group, your times may not match what the level when you were at the top of the previous one — and that’s okay!
*As swimmers get older, times naturally get faster due to physical maturity.
MID-SEASON
SEASON ENDING CHAMPIONSHIP MEETS
2026 10 and Under Championships
2026 Silver Champs Time Standards
2026 Junior Championship Time Standards
2026 Short Course Senior Champs
MA Zone Meet (TBA)
MEETS OUTSIDE MIDDLE ATLANTIC
USA Swimming Time Standards - National Meets
2028 Olympic Trial Time Standards (TBD)
SUMMER
2026 ISCA Summer Senior Championshp (TBD)
2026 Eastern Zone Long Course Championships (TBD)
HIGH SCHOOL
DISTRICT 1 PIAA QUALIFYING TIMES FOR DISTRICTS - USA APPROVED MEET
