Senior Division
Senior Elite (SRE)
This is our highest level training group and requires the greatest commitment from the swimmers. These athletes have shown dedication to training, racing, their goals, and the team. Athletes in this group are expected to have already achieved a regional level competition qualification (SWAGR/Age Group or Senior Zones/Sectionals), and be competing in multiple high-level meets every season, in any strokes which they have qualified and for any distance. Practices for this group happen the most often and require the highest level of attendance, at a minimum of 85% attendance for membership in this group. There will be many opportunity for local and out-of-state travel meets. Athletes in this group are expected to swim at many of these throughout the season, missing as few opportunities for growth as a competitor as is possible. The minimum age requirement for this group is 13 years old, and athletes are expected to have a fitting level of ability and maturity to keep up, both in practice and at competitions.
Senior Regional (SRR)
This group is designed for high-achieving athletes with other obligations and/or training constraints that do not allow for the rigors and/or time commitment of SRR or SRE. Many of these swimmers excel within NM Swimming (NM Swimming & NMAA State Finalists) and have competed regionally (Sr. Zones, Sectionals, Futures), other swimmers will have achieved state times (or are approaching such) and are working diligently toward regional-level competition.In addition to developing a strong aerobic base, practices tend toward increasing volume with a stable focus on well developed form. Good habits are a must moving forward in this group, and athletes are expected to come to practices regularly in order to have consistent growth. The minimum acceptable attendance in this group is making it to 75% of practices. Swimmers in this group will have opportunities to compete in both local and out-of-town group travel meets and are expected to swim at many of these throughout the season, missing only few opportunities for growth as a competitor. The minimum age requirement for this group is 12 years old, and athletes are expected to have a fitting level of ability and maturity to keep up, both in practice and at competitions.
Senior Championship (SRC)
This group is designed for athletes who are beginning to reach the highest levels of competition. Based on age and ability, athletes in this group should be working towards state qualifying times and regional level competition qualification (SWAGR/Age Group or Senior Zones/Sectionals). Major focuses of the group are a higher level of commitment to swimming as their main sport, competing, and goal setting. As a group which has the main aim of improving an athletes base in order to eventually move on the the SRR group, regular attendance is expected, with a minimum of 60% of practices being attended. Additionally athletes in this group will have numerous opportunities to swim at both local and out-of-state travel meets, and will be expected to swim in multiple of these throughout the season, in order to further develop ability and comfort in a competitive setting. The minimum age requirement for this group is 13 years old, and athletes are expected to have an appropriate level of ability and maturity to keep up, both in practice and at competitions.
Senior State (SRS)
This group is designed to foster younger and/or less experienced athlete’s maturity in training, and growth as competitive swimmers. Based on age and ability, athletes should be working towards having four perfectly legal strokes that are approaching state qualifying cuts. This group is largely focused on acheiving a high enough level of comfort and understaning of the sport to allow for athletes to eventually be moved to a higher-intensity training program such as SRC. The minimum age requirement for this group is 12 years old, and though ability will cover a fairly wide range in this group, swimmers are expected to show a level of maturity and ability that allows them to prioritize swimming and improvement in the sport. There are no attendance requirements for this group, however it is expected that athletes and families understand that improvement requires consistency in attendance, and participation in meets as often as is possible, in order to foster a healthy and well balanced athlete who will continue to grow in the sport.
