USA Swimming

USA swim meets are organized by boys and girls and age groups.  Meets will have 8 and under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16 and 17 and over.  Within each of these age groups, there are further divisions by by speed, of pre-C/C, B, A, Champ and Zone times. It is likely that many swimmers will be in different divisions for different events, they will always be competing against other swimmers close to their age and ability level. 
 

Types of Swim Meets

 
USA Swimming Meets come in a variety of different formats. All of these formats, however, are determined based on time standards which indicate the minimum (and sometimes maximum) achievements under which a swimmer may compete in a designated meet.  All MSI meets use the Minnesota Swimming Time Standards, while regional or national meets typically use standards based off of the USA Swimming Time Standards. 
 
Minnesota Swimming classifies their time standards into 5 groups: C, B, A, CH, and ZONE.  These levels represent a progression upward (i.e. B times are faster than C times), and usually indicate the type of meet a swimmer may compete in.   
Below is a brief description of all the types of meets.

C/Pre-C Meets are for swimmers who have previously not swum an event (“No Time”) or have a “C” qualifying time or slower “Pre-C” time. These meets are great for novice swimmers and first meet experiences. C/Pre-C Meets are also a good opportunity for more experienced athletes to attempt longer events for the first time, such as the 200 Fly, 500 Free, or 400 IM. 

A/B/C Meets are for all swimmers, and all members are encouraged to participate.Because these meets involve multiple ability levels, awards categories individual events are divided into three levels: “C” and slower, “B,” and “A” and faster.

B/C Meets provide an intermediate level of competition for swimmers with “B” times, “C” times and “No Times.” 

A Meets are for experienced swimmers who have attained Minnesota “A” times and faster. Team scores are kept and team awards are given.

State Meets are open to qualifiers with a “CH” (Champ) time or faster. The team state champion is determined at these meets. The Minnesota Swimming Championship for winter short course season is held each March in Rochester.

Zone Meets are annual regional championships, held each August by USA Swimming, which is divided into four zones. Athletes qualify by achieving a “Zone” time, which is the National Age Group “AAA” standard.