GNOAC Championship Meet (Champs)

  • Champs is usually held on a weekend in mid July and includes all six of the GNOAC teams. 
  • The host pool is rotated amongst the six teams.  Napoleon is scheduled to host Champs in 2025.
  • Athletes MUST swim in 2 dual meets (or more) to qualify to swim at Champs
  • Each team creates a "theme" for Champs and usually creates t-shirts and wears costumes for the big athlete parade on Sunday.  

 

How is Champs run?

  • Champs is a prelim/final meet.  Meaning... All athletes will swim in the prelims during the morning sessions, both Saturday and Sunday.  The top 12 times (for a 6 lane pool) or the top 16 times (for an 8 lane pool) will then qualify to the finals in the afternoon.  
  • Athletes 8 and under will NOT have prelims.  All of their events will be finals only and all will be swum on Saturday morning.  
  • Athletes in the 9-10 age group will NOT have prelims.  All of their events will be finals only but they will swim both Saturday and Sunday morning.  
  • Kids 11 and up will swim the prelims in the morning and finals (if they qualify) in the afternoon.  
  • Each athlete is allowed to swim in 5 events 

 

Awards

  • Medals are awarded in all events for 1st through 6th place.
  • Ribbons are awarded in all events for 7th through 12 place.
  • A traveling trophy is awarded to the team who scores the most points over the course of the weekend.
  • Age group awards are given to those members who score the highest number of points within their own age group. 

 

The Memorial Relay

  • This event is in honor of the late BGSC swimmer and coach, Kurt Lee.
  • This relay does not score points but instead reconizes team spirit and sportsmanship.
  • One male and one female from each age group will compete in this relay
  • 8 and under athletes will swim 25 yards and all other athletes will swim 50 yards. 
  • This relay is usually held at the very end of the meet on Sunday afternoon.

 

Champs Week - the week leading up to Champs

  • The swimming routine/practice is changed slightly as swimmers will rest more and not swim as many yards as they did earlier in the season.  This is called a "taper".
  • During practice, there is more of an emphasis put on practicing starts, turns, relay take offs, etc.  
  • NAC will have a pasta dinner the Thursday night before Champs.  This is usually held at the Kids Kingdom Shelter house (weather permitting).  
  • Kids will learn some swim cheers for Champs.

 

And finally... the actual meet!

  • Warm ups are usually early in the morning, around 7-7:30am, both days.
  • We have a potluck breakfast for the swimmers each morning.  Parents bring items like muffins, granola bars, fruit, yogurt, egg casseroles, etc, so all of the swimmers can eat a little something before the meet starts (but after warm ups).  
  • Parents are welcome to bring pop up tents, lawn chairs, coolers, food, etc as it is usually a long and hot day.  
  • Once prelims are over, the meet takes about a 2 hour break for lunch and rest. 
  • On Sunday before finals...
    • There is an athlete parade showing off each team's theme.
    • The GNOAC recognizes all senior swimmers from the six teams.
    • Swimmers who made Sunday's finals then change into their warm up / drag  "attire" which can lead to some pretty fun pictures!  
    • Warm ups include a little swimming and A LOT of cheering, chants, and FUN!  I have been told that some kids swim the entire summer season just for this day! 
  • Overall, Champs makes for a long weekend but it is a lot of fun with some great team bonding!