MIDLAND DOLPHINS - MTSL vs USA Swimming (Grand Rapids open (USA) registration)

Buffy Hall

Midland Dolphins Swim Team,

 

Happy New Year! 

 

Today’s email is to explain the difference between the Midland Dolphin swim league (MTSL-Michigan Team Swim League) and travel swimming (USA Swimming – also referred to as USAS).  Our first USA meet of the year is January 16-18.  Sign up for this meet is closed and we have 51 swimmers registered.  Our next USA swim meet is February 7-8 at Kentwood Aquatic Center.  Meet information is at the bottom of this email.

 

MTSL MEETS vs USA SWIMMING MEETS

MTSL (Michigan Team Swim League)

  • The league includes 20 teams.
  • Meets are held during the school year and include dual meets and invitationals.
  • Uno meets are usually during the week and replace practice.
  • Dual meets and invitationals are usually on Saturday.
  • All Dolphin swimmers may participate in MTSL meets.
  • All Dolphin coaches are able to coach at MTSL meets.

 

Season & Championships

  • The competitive short course season runs from September through February.
  • Swimmers must compete in at least two MTSL meets during the season to be eligible for championship meets. 

 

Types of swim meets

  • UNO Meets: Just our team.
  • Dual Meets: Dolphins and one other team.  We usually do not have dual meets because our team is so big.
  • Invitationals: Many teams.  10&U swim in the morning and 11&Over swim in the afternoon.  We usually attend one in November, December and January.

 

The season ends with two championship meets:

  • Saturday, February 7 (South Meet): For swimmers who have not yet achieved qualifying times.
  • Sunday, February 15: Requires qualifying times.
  • Swimmers may qualify at the February 7 meet to attend the February 15 meet.
  • More details will be provided as the championship meets approach.

Cost

  • $10 Dolphin surcharge for ALL MTSL meets.  UNO meets, dual meets and invitationals.
  • Invitationals have a per event charge.  Usually around $5 per event.
  • There is no additional charge for UNO meets and dual meets.  Flat fee of $10.
  • If there are relays, the Dolphins pay all relay entries.

 

USA Swimming Meets

USA Swimming is the National Governing Body for swimming in the United States. Its mission is to promote safe, healthy, and inclusive opportunities for swimmers and coaches.

  • The Midland Dolphins are a registered USA Swimming team.
  • Swimmers do not need to try out to attend USA meets—everyone is welcome.
  • We travel to  pools in Ypsilanti, Saline, Grand Rapids, Brighton, Holland.

Cost

  • $90 annual fee paid to USAS.
  • $100 Midland Dolphin surcharge.  Billed shortly after your registration.
  • $15 Dolphin surcharge for all USA meets.
  • $1 Michigan Swimming surcharge for all USA meets.
  • Sometimes there is a facility charge.
  • Events are $5-$6.25 per event and possible more for distance events.
  • If there are relays, the Dolphins pay all relay entries.

 

Key Differences Between MTSL and USA Meets

Officials

MTSL Meets: Use MHSAA (Michigan High School Athletic Association) officials.

USA Meets: Use USA Swimming-certified officials.

Important: Only USA meets can be used to earn State Qualifying (Q1) times for end-of-season State Championship meets.

Events Offered

MTSL Meets: Fewer event options.

USA Meets: A larger selection of events, giving swimmers more choices.

Rules

MTSL Meets: Kids will get disqualified for not following rules.

USA Meets: Very strict on rules and kids will get disqualified.

 

USA REGISTRATION AND MIDLAND DOLPHIN USA FEE

USA Swimming

Registering as a USA swimmer is optional.  If you love swimming and you want to go to more meets, you might want to join the travel team.  Registering your swimmer lets them go to more swim meets and is recommended for competitive athletes. 

 

You pick the meets you want to attend.  You pick the days you want to attend.  All we ask is that swimmers attend at least one USA meet per session.

 

Similar to our MTSL we end the season with championship meets. All USA championship meets are in March.

 

USAS registration costs ~$90 annual on the USAS website, IF you choose to register with USAS use this link to join: https://omr.usaswimming.org/omr/welcome/61AF3AF5B76C40

 

In addition to your registration there is a $100 Midland Dolphin surcharge that will be billed to your account shortly after you register or update your registration.

 

Please reach out to board member Craig Austin if you have questions.

[email protected]

 

GRAND RAPIDS OPEN INVITATIONAL (USA MEET) – FEBRUARY 7-8

Hosted By Grand Rapids Aquatics

 

Location

Kentwood Aquatics Center

6230 Kalamazoo Ave. SE

Kentwood, MI 49548

 

Times

Saturday & Sunday Morning – 13 & Over

Arrive: 7:30/7:45 am

Warm up: 8:00 am

Meet Start: 9:00 am

 

Saturday & Sunday Afternoon – 12 & Under

Arrive 11:15 am

Warm up: 11:30 am

Meet Start: 12:30 pm

 

Saturday Evening – Distance Session

Arrive 3:00/3:15 pm

Warm Up: 3:30 pm

Meet Start: 4:00 pm

 

 

Individual Entry Limits

Swimmers will be limited to a maximum of 5 individual events per day.

 

Entry Fees

$6.25 per individual event

 

Surcharges

$15 Midland Dolphin surcharge

$1 Michigan Swimming surcharge

 

Entry Deadline

Thursday, January 8, 2026

no late entries

 

Do not hesitate to email me if you have any questions about USA Swimming,

Coach Hall