Time Standards
In order to participate in certain meets, swimmers must meet a specific time standard.
These standards get faster as swimmers progress and move up in skill and performance level.
State/LSC Level
The first qualifying meet swimmers are eligible for is the State/LSC Championship at the end of each short course (SC) and long course (LC) season.
You can find additional information on qualifying for the MT State Championship meets here: Entry Rules.
2021-2024 National Age Group Motivational Times: Standards
2021-2024 MT State Championship Meets: 8&U / 13-21 50s Standards
Regional Level
The next level is often referred to as regional meets, which include teams from ~5-8 different LSCs, and swimmers qualify within their own age group.
AZ Holiday Swim Festival (SC): 2023 SCY Standards / 2023 LCM Standards / 2023 Event Schedule / 2023 Entry Rules
Southwest Age Group Regional (SWAGR) Championship (SC): 2024 Standards / 2024 Entry Rules
Northwest Age Group (NWAG) Regionals (SC): 2024 Standards / 2024 Entry Rules
Age Group Zone Level
The next level is the zone level, which for MT encompasses all of the LSCs in the Western Zone. Swimmers usually compete for their LSC instead of club team and again qualify within their age group.
Age Group Western Zone Championship (LC): 2024 Standards ("AAA") / 2024 Entry Rules / 2023 Entry Rules
Senior Zone/Sectional Level
All meets at this level and up are considered "senior" meets, meaning swimmers must meet a certain time, regardless of age. Senior Zones, Sectionals, and Futures make up this next tier.
Senior Zones (SC): 2024 Standards / 2024 Entry Rules
Western Zone Senior Championship (LC): 2024 Standards / 2024 Entry Rules / 2023 Entry Rules
Spring Senior Sectionals Championship: 2024 Standards / 2024 Entry Rules
Summer Senior Sectional Championship: 2024 Standards / 2024 Entry Rules / 2023 Entry Rules
Futures Championships (LC): 2024 Standards / 2024 Entry Rules
Junior National Level
The first level of national meets is the Junior National level for swimmers 18&under, with standards for winter and summer.
Winter Junior National Championship (SC): 2023 Standards / 2023 Entry Rules
Summer Championship (LC)*: 2024 Standards / 2024 Entry Rules / 2023 Standards
National Level
Finally, the US Open, National Championship, and Olympic Trials make up the top tier of swimming in the US.
US Open (SC): 2023 Standards / 2023 Entry Rules
Summer Championships (LC)*: 2024 Standards / 2024 Entry Rules / 2023 Standards
U.S. Olympic Trials (LC): 2024 Standards / 2024 Entry Rules
*2024 Summer Championships will be Jr/Sr Nationals combined: separate 18&under and 19&over standards above
