See Meet Information/Basics under the Documents tab for detailed information.

Meet sign up

All Meet entries will only be handled via the Team Unify website.  You will get an email inviting you to attend the meet.  You MUST Accept or Decline your intent for each meet.  You will click on the link provided in an email and sign your child up for appropriate events the swimmers wishes to swim.  All entries will be accepted by your child’s coach.  No hand written or spoken entries will be allowed.  This is a hard rule.

The Race

Stroke and Turn Judges and officials watch each race.  Swimmers with improper form are disqualified and told why by their coaches.  It is not the officials fault the child was disqualified.  The swimmer is responsible for their form, the official only makes them aware of the improper stroke they performed in the race.  Swimmers should not be discouraged by a disqualification (DQ).  All team members have had the same experience at some time.  Pay attention to the judge’s remarks, talk to your coaches, and work hard on stroke perfection in practice.

Although Timers may tell swimmers how fast they have swam a race, no time is official until results are posted.  This posting may list only the first six winners by name.  Other swimmers may have to derive their times from an electronic tape printout, listing times by event, heat, and lane, so it is useful to jot down this information for each race swum.  In most events, there is more than one heat.  In most meets, the first heat in each event is composed of swimmers with slower times.  Fast swimmers are seeded in later heats.  It is, therefore, possible to win a heat and still not place in the top six or eight ribbon winners in the entire event.

Competition and Meets During the Spring (April - June)

There are typically no meets during the Spring.  We use this season to focus on drills and technique.

Competition and Meets During the Summer (June - August)

We typically offer 3 meets during the Summer, one home meet and 2 away meets.  Away meets are usually hosted by other local Ys in the Metro area.

Competition and Meets During the Fall & Winter (September - March)

In YMCA competition, dual meets and three way meets are offered during the regular season.  Each meet will last approximately four to 6 hours hours and all meets are swum against other area YMCA teams both in and outside of the Metro area.  Swimmers may swim in a maximum of three individual events and two relays during each meet.  Swimmers compete in age groups.  For YMCA competition, age is determined as of December 1st.  Age groups are eight and under, nine and ten, eleven and twelve, thirteen and fourteen, and open. The meet schedule starts in the fall (mid to late October) and concludes in mid-March with the Regional Meet.  Each team will compete in 7-8 regular season meets plus the championship meets.  There are no entry fees for the regular season meets. 

Home and Host SWIM MEETS: Our Y will host 2 home swim meets during the Fall/Winter.  In order to run these meets, we need many volunteers. We ask each swim team family to volunteer 2-4 hours of their time during these weekends their children are swimming. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and get involved in your child's activity. Please see parent volunteer code of conduct.

Sections and State (Fall & Winter ONLY)

At the beginning of February the Minnesota YMCA Swim league hosts the sectional meets.  Each team is on a rotation to host this meet with other teams in their section.  In order to attend the sectional meet you must have participated in 3 regular meets during the fall and winter.  The top three places in each section for both relays and individual events, advance to the State Meet.  

The State Meet will be mid February at the University of Minnesota.  The meet starts in the morning and runs through mid afternoon.  It is a fairly quick meet, with just 2 heats per event and it is run in 2 pools - a male pool by the scoreboard and a female pool, by the diving well.

Regional Meet

Swimmers who achieve a Regional qualifying time in a specific event in any meet during the course of the fall and winter may go on to compete in the Regional Meet in March.  This month of practices from the State meet to the Regional meet will be an additional fee to help cover additional team practices and meet fee's.  (approximately $150)

Remember you are representing the YMCA.  Your behavior reflects on the YMCA’s image.  Be positive and courteous at all meets.

Attendance at Meets - Pointers for Swimmers

• Be prompt, arrive early enough to get your numbers, your coach will tell you when to arrive.

• Review the program.  Check to make sure you are properly entered in your events.  If there is a problem, go directly to your coach.

• Report to the YMCA’s swimmers’ area.

• Check with the coach when it is time for relays. 

• As the meet starts, be aware of your event numbers.  It is the responsibility of the swimmer to make her/his events.

• Check-in with your coach before and after swimming each event.

• If problems arise concerning disqualification, awards, etc., please see your coach.

• After the meet is over be sure you have all your possessions and help CLEAN-UP THE TEAM AREA.

What to Take to a Meet

• Team Swim Suit & Team Cap and Goggles. Extras of each are advised.
• Towels. (Pack at least 2)
• Something to sit on.  (sleeping bag, old blanket or chair)
• Sweat suits.
• Something for the feet.  Keeping warm is very important in between events.  Warm socks, deck type shoes or sandals are a good idea.
• T-shirts or parka. The larger the better. 2-3 shirts recommended, as they get wet and soggy.
• Games: Travel Games, cards, etc.
• Food: A small cooler filled with wholesome snacks.
• Drinks: Water, Gatorade, Juice, etc.