Qualifying Times and Championship Meet Progression
1- BC Championship (all are welcome, all are qualified!) - Late February or Early March
This meet serves as the culminating championship for swimmers who have not yet met the time standards for the State Meet. Any athlete may participate as long as they do not have a BB-level time standard in the event they are swimming. MYST believes every swimmer deserves a meaningful finale to their season, and the BC Championship is a key part of that philosophy. It’s a fun, high-energy meet and a great opportunity for athletes to celebrate their hard work and finish the season alongside their teammates.
9 & Over Qualifying times
8 & Under Qualifying times
2- Y Regionals - The meet is typically hosted in Boise, Idaho or Federal Way, Washington in Early March
(historically around 50% of our total competitive team obtains this qualifying standard)
This meet is exclusive to YMCA teams, and swimmers must participate in at least two Y-only meets during the short-course season to be eligible. The qualifying standards for this meet fall between a “B” time and a “BB” time on the USA Swimming Motivational Time Standards chart. At this championship, we compete against other YMCA teams from across the Northwestern region of the United States.
3- MT State Championships - Locations vary, The short-course meet typically takes place in late February or early March, while the long-course meet is held in mid- to late July.
(historically before the standard changes around 45% of our total competitive team obtained this standard) – Held at the end of both the short-course and long-course seasons, the MT State Championships serve as our premier team and individual statewide finale.
Recent updates to Montana Swimming policies have made some of the qualifying standards a bit confusing, so we’ve outlined the key details below. Age groups are divided into 8 & Under and then two-year increments beyond that. A swimmer’s age is determined by their age on the first day of the State Meet they are attending.
9 & Over Qualifying times
8 & Under Qualifying times
You can reference the official qualifying standards using the linked charts. When viewing the charts, be sure you are looking at the correct course:
-
SCY = Short Course Yards (for the winter season)
-
LCM = Long Course Meters (for the summer season)
Short Course State (SCY)
8 & Under:
-
Must have a qualifying time in one event
-
May swim any event in which they have a legal time
9–10:
-
Must have 1 “B” time
-
May swim any event in which they have a legal time
-
Exception: A “BB” time is required to swim the 500 Free
11 & Over:
-
Must have at least 1 “BB” time in their age group
-
May swim any event in which they have a “B” time
-
Exception: A “BB” time is required for the 500 Free, 1000 Free, and 1650 Free
Long Course State (LCM)
12 & Under:
-
No qualifying times required
-
Swimmers must simply have a legal time in an event
-
Exception: A “BB” time is required for the 400 Free, 400 IM, 800 Free, and 1500 Free
13 & Over:
-
Must have a 13–14 “BB” time to qualify
-
Additional events may be entered as Bonus Swims, based on the number of qualifying times achieved
-
Exception: A “BB” time is required for the 400 Free, 400 IM, 800 Free, and 1500 Free
4- Arizona Holiday Swim Festival, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ - (historically, around 25% of our total competitive team obtains this qualifying standard), typically held the first weekend in December
This meet has always been a special highlight in our schedule – a chance to challenge ourselves, race in an incredible environment, and celebrate making the “Arizona Team.”
This year, the meet itself has changed from a time standard meet to an open meet. While this makes it more accessible, as a
team we believe it is important to keep the challenge and sense of accomplishment alive. For that reason, MYST will continue to use the 2024 time standards as our qualifying criteria for this meet.
Here’s how our team standards works:
-
If your swimmer achieves 1 qualifying cut in any race, they will be eligible to attend.
-
Once qualified, swimmers may also enter any 50 or 100 race.
-
For events 200 yards and above, the meet itself requires that swimmers must have the listed cut for their age group in order to compete.
2024 Arizona Time Standards (For 50's & 100s) - see last page for times
2025 Arizona Time Standards for (200's and above) - see last page for times
5- SWAGR (South West Age Group Regionals) - This meet is a Championship meet that takes place in California towards the end of March each year, This meet is a 14 & Under qualifying Meet.
(Historically, around 8% of our total competitive team obtains this qualifying standard)
The standards for this meet change every year and unlike other meets are separated by each age after 10 and under. This is is prelim and final swim meet.
6- Zones
Senior Zones - Open to All Ages - Qualifying Standards: 15-16 AA Times
Age Group Zones - 14&Under - Qualifying Standards: AAA Times
8- Futures
