There can be a lot of confusion surrounding "Championship Season". Everything from when it starts to what it entails and what it takes to compete in each of them. Hopefully the information below will shed some light on what we refer to as "Championship Season" in the club swimming world.
"So how do I know what my last meet is??"
Before the season starts, every 9&Up's last meet is the District Meet and every 8&Under's last meet is the 8&Under State Championship. If, during the season, you achieve qualifying times for any championship meet beyond districts, you will continue practicing and competing until you've completed the highest level championship meet that you qualified for.
The Three Session Rule - YMCA Swimming requires that swimmers must compete in at least 3 different sessions at at least two closed YMCA meets during the course of the season to be eligible to swim in any of the championship meets. A "session" refers to one evening, one morning or one afternoon, even if the meet is a 2 or 3 day meet. "Closed" means the meet is restricted to YMCA teams. Some YMCA teams host meets that are open to all USA Swimming and YMCA swimming. Those meets would not qualify as a closed YMCA meet.
The Championship Meets
Clusters Championship
This is the first meet of the YMCA Championship Season. As is the rule for all YMCA Championship meets, swimmer are required to have competed in at least one session of 3 separate YMCA meets. There is no qualifying time for this meet and this meet is open to all ages.
Also known as "Clusters". This meet awards individual event placing, team finishes and individual high point finishes.
No Qualifying Times - All Y swimmers with 3 meets can compete
8&Under YMCA State Championship
This is the official YMCA state championship for all 8&Unders. There are no qualifying times. Swimmers will compete against their own age only!! Team scores will be tallied. Individual Awards are presented publicly during award presentation ceremonies.
No Qualifying Times - All 8&Under Y swimmers can compete
9&Up District Meet
This is the final championship meet for 9&Up YMCA swimmers without a YMCA state qualifying time. Only swimmers without a YMCA State qualifying time can compete at this meet. This meet was not held in 2022 and 2023, so please be aware it may not be held in 2024.
Also known as "Districts"
No Qualifying Times - All Y swimmers without a state cut can compete
9&Up YMCA State Championship
This is the official YMCA State Championship for the 9&Ups. This is the first championship meet in which you must make a qualifying time to compete. Qualifying times can be found here. You may sometimes hear us coaches refer to this is "the state meet". Swimmers will compete against their age groups and the winner of each event is crowned State Champion. The top 16 finishers in each event score points for their team. Team scores are tallied and trophies are awarded to the winner and runner up.
Also known as "States" or "Y States"
10&Under USA Swimming State Championship
This is the new state USA Swimming State Championship for 10&Unders! More info to come on this!
Michigan Age Group State Championships (MAGS) USA Swimming
*FORMERLY KNOWN AS MICHIGAN SWIMMING 12 & UNDER STATE
This is the state championship meet for all 14&Under swimmers in the state of Michigan that are registered with USA Swimming. This will be one of the most competitive meet of the year for 14&Unders. It is swum in a prelims/finals format, meaning that the top 16 swimmers from the morning session in each event will come back for a second session at night where they will compete for points. A high point award is given to the top 3 swimmers in each age group.
**Unlike the YMCA meets, for this meet you must compete against and qualify for the age that you are on the first day of the meet**
Also known as "Q1" or "AAs" or "USA States". Falcons may participate in this meet if it does not conflict with other YMCA championship meets.
USA Swimming Open State Championship
The official state championship meet for Michigan Swimming. This is a prelim/final meet to crown the state champions in each event. Top Falcon seniors will attend this meet.
Great Lakes Zones YMCA Championships
This is the championship meet for all YMCAs in the midwest. This is a highly competitive meet, with very difficult qualifying times, swum in a timed finals format(meaning swimmers only get one chance to swim each event).
Also known as "Zones"
Click Here for 2023 Great Lakes Zones Championship Qualifying Times
YMCA Short Course Nationals
This is the pinnacle meet of any YMCA swimmer's age group career. EVen qualifying for this meet is a tremendous accomplishment. This meet features many of the top collegiate swimming prospects in the country and is extremely competitive. It is swum in a 4-day prelims/finals format. The YMCA also does a great job of making it an awesome experience for the athletes. Recognizing the work it takes for swimmers to make it this far, the Y goes out of their way to honor each team and athlete. Aiming for this meet is a goal worthy of hard work.
Also known as "Y Nats/ Nationals"
*** Falcons will probably not compete at the other USA Swimming Championship meets, such as "Michigan Swimming Great Lakes Regional Championship" (formerly known as Q2 or Junior Olympics" or Central Zone Sectionals. Swimmers and parents will be notified if we will attend.
Toyota U.S. Open Championship
This is the official United States Swimming National Championship. The very best swimmers in the country, both youth, college and professional will compete here. Qualifying times can be viewed at this link: ToyotaUSopen2023TimeStandards_Outlined_v5 (usaswimming.org)
2024 USA Olympic Team Trials
This is the official time trial meet to qualify for the most prestigeous meet in the sport of swimming: The Olympic Games. Time standards can be viewed here: 2024TrialsTimeStandards (usaswimming.org)
