The “B” Meets

These are competitions designed for novice and less experienced swimmers. “B” meets are intended for swimmers who have not achieved a National Age Group “A” time.  These meets are usually one or two days, run rather quickly, and are geared to give racing experience to this level of swimmer. On Celebration Splash, swimmers in the Bronze and Silver groups usually attend these meets as they are developing and learning the sport of swimming. These are grass roots meets that are intended to introduce competition.

“A” Meets

These are competitions designed for swimmers who have progressed to the National Age Group “A” time standard. “A” meets are intended for swimmers who understand how a meet is run and how to race at a higher level. Swimmers who do not have “A” times are not permitted to swim in these meets as the level of competition would discourage them and could hinder their progress.

Invitationals

These are competitions in which teams are invited by the host team to compete. Most Invitationals have a standard such as “B” qualifying times. This means that swimmers must have at least a “B” time in order to be entered into this competition. Invitationals that have Age Group and Senior No Time standards allow Celebration Splash to enter everyone on our team in the meet. Most of the competitions that Celebration Splash has on its schedule are Invitationals so everyone gets an opportunity to both compete for and with all levels of the program.

Junior Olympics

This competition occurs twice a year: March and July. This meet is strictly for 14-unders swimming in the Florida LSC that have met the qualifications set forth by the Florida LSC. Time standards are decided by the LSC’s Technical Planning Committee, approved by the FL Swimming Board of Directors, and are publicized in the Florida Swimming Handbook, the FL Swimming and Celebration Splash websites, and on the Celebration Splash bulletin board. This meet is for the most advanced age group swimmers in our program and is the first indication that your swimmer is competing at a much higher level.

Southern Zone Championships

This meet always follows the Long Course Junior Olympic Championships. The Florida team is selected based on the Spring JO’s. Seven athletes both male and female from 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18 age groups are selected to represent our LSC in this prestigious meet.

Sectionals/Junior Nationals

This competition occurs twice a year as well, general in February or March, and July. These meets are qualifying meets with Senior only events. This type of meet is a stepping-stone for the National Championships. While age group swimmers may qualify for the meet, coaches will make the final decisions on who competes at this meet.

Nationals

This competition occurs twice a year with only the best of the best in our country competing. Once your child establishes a National qualifying time, he or she is considered an elite swimmer, and most probably will be offered some type of athletic scholarship. While this is not always the case, most college coaches are looking to fill their rosters with athletes that have experience competing at the national level.