Qualifying for the MT State Championship Meet

Swimmers age 11 and older must achieve at least one “BB” time within the qualifying time period in order to qualify for the MT State Championship.  Once one “BB” is achieved, the swimmer can also enter any “B” times achieved during the same period, up to 7 events total. This is true regardless of whether the times were achieved during Long Course or Short Course. To see the time standards by age, gender, and course you can refer to the 2024-2028 National Age Group Motivational Times published by USA Swimming.

Additionally,

• Distance Freestyle Events: Swimmers wishing to swim 400/500 Free, 800/1000 Free 1500/1650 Free, or 400 IM events at MT State Championship meets must qualify with a "BB" time.  At the 2026 SC meet, the 400 IM may still be entered as a bonus event with a "B" time; however, beginning at the 2026 LC meet, the 400 IM may no longer be entered as a bonus event with a "B" time, meaning swimmers must be qualified for the event with a "BB" time.

• A qualifying time in the 1650 free (SCY) automatically qualifies the swimmer for the 1500 free (LCM), and vice versa.  The same relationship applies to the 1000 free (SCY) and 800 free (LCM).  In addition, in SCY, qualifying in the 1650 free automatically qualifies the swimmer for the 1000 free, and vice versa.  And the same relationship applies to the 1500 free and 800 free in LCM.

• USAS has now published motivational times for the 50 back, 50 breast or 50 fly for swimmers in 13-14, 15-16, and 17-18 age groups.  Starting at the 2026 SC meet, all age groups must now meet the BB (or B for bonus) times for stroke 50s in their respective age groups.  Alternately, a “BB” qualifying time in the 100 back, 100 breast, or 100 fly automatically qualifies for the 50 event of the same stroke; however, a BB time in the 50 event does not automatically qualify for the 100 event of the same stroke. 

• All bonus events must be entered with a provable time achieved during the qualifying time period. No time (NT) entries will not be accepted for entry purposes at the Montana Swimming SC or LC Championships.

Swimmers age 10 & under (10&U) / 9-10 must achieve at least one "B" qualifying time within the qualifying time period in order to qualify for the MT State Championship.  Once entered in one qualifying event, the swimmer may enter any other event with a time slower than the 'B' time as a bonus event, up to 7 events total.  Bonus events must be with a legal time (NT entries will not be accepted) and achieved in the qualifying time period.  Distance exception: swimmers must enter the 500Y/400M Free with a "BB" time or faster. Summary here.

Swimmers age 8 and under (8&U) have their own qualifying times separate from the USAS Motivational Times, which are listed and summarized here.  Swimmers must achieve at least one qualifying time within the qualifying time period to qualify for the MT State Championship.  Once qualified in one event, swimmers may enter up to five (5) bonus events for a total of six events.  Bonus events must be entered with a legal time (NT entries will not be accepted) and achieved in the qualifying time period.  Additional note: 8&U swimmers must choose either the 8&U or 10&U age group for individual events for the entire meet.