DUAL MEETS

Overview

  • The Lancaster Summer Swim League is comprised of 21 swim teams in Lancaster County, split into three divisions. 

  • The L-S Otters compete within Division 1 of the LSSL and will have a dual meet between each of the other 6 teams in the division. 

  • Dual meets are scheduled during the week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. (See Events Calendar)

  • Dual meets begin at 6:15 pm, however, swimmers are asked to be at the pool early for warm-ups. For HOME meets, swimmers should arrive at 4:30 pm. For AWAY meets, swimmers should arrive at 5:00 pm. All pool addresses are located under the "League Pools" heading on the website. 

  • Each dual meet lasts approximately 3 hours. 

  • Each swimmer is limited to 3 events. (Occasionally, swimmers may be entered into additional events as exhibition competitors.)

  • We ask that you declare your attendance for dual meets on the L-S Otters Team Unify website no later than 2 days before the meet. You will need to log in to the system to access the attendance declaration options on the events calendar. This is a very important process as it allows our coaches time to adequately prepare a meet line-up. 

  • There are no admission charges for spectators at dual meets. 

  • Swimmers should wear their suits and be prepared to swim when they arrive. 

  • All swimmers are requested to remain for the entire meet regardless of when they swim. Trust us... the relay events are usually the most exciting part of the evening. You don't want to miss it!

Attendance

  • It is strongly encouraged that swimmers be in attendance at the dual meets. 

  • All swimmers are required to declare their attendance no later than 2 days before the dual meet. You will need to log in to the system to access the attendance declaration options on the events calendar. This is a very important process as it allows our coaches time to adequately prepare a meet line-up. 

  • It is the parent's responsibility to ensure that their swimmer(s) arrive at the pool at the designated time, check in with the coaches, and sit with the team. 

  • Swimmers should remain in the team area for the duration of the swim meet (not "lost" in the crowd of spectators or playing on the playground).  

Events

  • Dual meets consist of 50 events (40 individual events and 10 relay events)

  • Individual events are broken down into the following age groups: 

    • ​8 & Under
    • 10 & Under
    • 12 & Under
    • 14 & Under
    • 18 & Under ("Opens")

  • The order of events is as follows: 

    • ​Freestyle
    • Backstroke
    • Breaststroke
    • Butterfly
    • Relay Event

  • ​In each age group, the girls swim first, followed by the boys

  • Swimmers in the 8U and 10U age groups swim one length (25 yards/meters) for each event

  • Swimmers in the 10U, 12U, and Open age groups swim two lengths (50 yards/meters) for each event

Scoring

  • Individual Events: 
    • 1st place - 5 points
    • 2nd place - 3 points
    • 3rd place - 1 point
  • Relay Events:
    • 1st place - 7 points

​​Live Heats vs. Exhibition Heats

  • The live heat typically consists of the fastest swimmers because the finishing places of the live heat count toward the team score.

  • Exhibition heats do not count toward the team score but are still important because as swimmers improve their times, they could move to the live heat for the next meet.