The Firebirds

Hello there! New to swim meets and want to know more? We have you covered! Below is information copied from The Firebirds' handbook. If you wish to have more information and you are a member of The Firebirds, please consult your handbook or contact your coach for more information.

Things to Bring:

In USA Swimming, a session cannot last more than 4 hours. With that said, if you have children of multiple ages you may be at the meet for hours. Below is a list of things to bring to make the most of your time at a swim meet:

- Bleacher chairs: Most, if not all of the facilities that we will be competing in will have bleachers that may be a bit harsh to your rear end. Bleacher chairs offer a bit of cushion that can help you endure the harshness of the bleacher.  

- Water: Some facilities may have a water fountain or concession stands, however, if you wish to save money without having to leave your seat, water is something highly recommended that you bring. 

- Snacks: Like water, some facilities may offer snacks, but if you wish to be able to save money without having to leave the action, bringing your own snacks may be the best and most affordable option.

- Pocket Change (in the event that you may need to pay for a heat sheet or parking pass): Depending on where you go, some places may require that you have a parking pass to park at their facility. Making sure you have at least $30 in your pocket is ideal. 

Swim Meet Set Up:

Prelims:

Prelims are for all ages. This is a way to filter out the faster athletes from the rest and determine who will be participating in finals (typically held in the evening).

Timed Finals:

Timed Finals, just like prelims can be for all ages. However, at a swim meet with prelims and finals, timed finals are for the 12 & Under age groups. Once they legally swim their races, they are done swimming that race for the rest of the meet.

Finals:

Finals are reserved for the fastest athletes at the swim meet. To participate in finals, your athlete must be one of the fastest athletes during prelims.

Depending on the age group, the amount of heats in finals can change. The 13 - 14 age group typically has only two heats (A and B) while 15 & Overs can have up to 4 heats of finals (A, B, C, and D). This may not always be the case, but that is typically the format for finals.

• D final (We don’t know what this one is called because we try not to be in this one…): Reserved for athletes who placed 25th - 32nd in prelims.
• C final (Bonus Final): Reserved for athletes who placed 17th - 24th in prelims.
• B final (Consolation Final): Reserved for athletes who placed 9 - 16 athletes in prelims.
• A final (Championship Final): Reserved for the top 8 athletes in prelims.

Scratching / Being Scratched In (Alternates):

When athletes scratch, they are removing themselves from a finals event for which they qualified (swimmers who have not finaled or have made an alternate position can still scratch to ensure that they will not be scratched in). Typically, scratch availability is open for 30 minutes after the finalists have been announced. Please note that if you do / do not scratch and the scratching window closes, all changes are final. If you miss your event, depending on the meet host, your athlete, or team may face penalties, so please make sure your athletes are aware of whether or not they have finaled and are prepared to make a decision to scratch.

If you are Being Scratched In, more than likely during prelims you made it to an alternate position. An alternate is someone who just missed the finals slot (typically alternates were placed one or two places after the last finalists). Being Scratched In means that you can now participate in finals because the finalists ahead of you scratched and they need a replacement. Sometimes being scratched in is a last minute move and the athlete is unaware of this sudden change. If your athlete is a known alternate, please make sure your notifications are on in case your coach needs to contact you. Unlike being an athlete that qualified for finals, if an alternate misses their heat in finals, there will be no penalty. 

Cuts / Time Standards

2025 - 2028 Motivational Time Standards

Motivational time standards are times set by USA Swimming that are designed to help athletes set goals and track their progress. These times are updated every four years according to the top 16 fastest times of each age group from the previous four years. These cuts range from:

• B: top 55% of the athletes in this age group and sex were able to achieve this time.

• BB: top 33% of the athletes in this age group and sex were able to achieve this time

• A: top 15% of the athletes in this age group and sex were able to achieve this time nationally

• AA: top 8% of the athletes in this age group and sex were able to achieve this time nationally

• AAA: top 6% of the athletes in this age group and sex were able to achieve this time nationally

• AAAA: top 2% of the athletes in this age group and sex were able to achieve this time nationally (i.e. the highest motivational ranking)

Motivational Time Standards

Age Group Championships

Age Group Championships (AGC) is a swim meet where all the fastest kids in North Carolina come to compete. They must have an Age Group Champs cut (aka qualifying time) to participate.

The age groups that are eligible to participate are:

• 10 & Unders
• 12 - 11
• 13 - 14

The 13 - 14 age group are the only ones allowed to participate in Prelims and Finals.

 Qualifying Times: TBD

Age Group Sectionals:

Age Group Sectionals (AGS) is a championship meet against different states in your zone. They must have an Age Group Sectionals cut to participate. The age groups that are eligible to participate are:

• 10 & Unders
• 12 - 11
• 13 - 14

The 13 - 14 age group is the only age group allowed to participate in Prelims and Finals.

Qualifying Times: TBD

Sr. Championships:

Senior Championships is a swim meet where all the fastest kids in North Carolina come to compete. They must have a Senior Champs cut (aka qualifying time) to participate.

Though all ages are welcome to compete, Senior Champs are usually reserved for athletes aged 15 & Up (adults are also welcome to compete).

Qualifying Times: TBD

Sr. Sectionals:

Senior Championships is a swim meet where all the fastest kids in your zone come to compete. They must have a Senior Sectionals cut (aka qualifying time) to participate.

Though all ages are welcome to compete, Senior Sectionals are usually reserved for athletes aged 15 & Up (adults are also welcome to compete).

Qualifying Times: TBD

Futures:

Futures is a swim meet that is seen as an “entry” meet into the big league competitions. It is seen as a stepping stone and bridge between sectionals and nationals. This meet is open to all who can qualify and is considered one of the first “highest” ranking meets where college recruiters are commonly spotted. There will be finals regardless of the age participating.

Qualifying Times: TBD

Winter Junior Nationals:

Winter Junior Nationals is a swim meet that is tailored to the fasted athletes aged 18 years and younger. This meet is used to expose athletes to one of the highest levels of competition, allowing them to have the opportunity to represent their club a national level. College scouts and recruiters love to keep a close eye on these participants, which allows athletes the opportunity to showcase their skills for a chance to be recognized and offered college opportunities. Even though this meet is held during the short course season, long course times can be used as entry times to participate. All ages can prelim and final at this meet.

Winter Junior National Qualifying Times

Summer Speedo Championships (Summer Nationals):

Summer Speedo Nationals, like Winter Junior Nationals, is used to expose athletes to one the highest level of competition. Summer Speedo Nationals is everything that winter Juniors are, however, the meet is held in a long course pool. Even though the swim meet is long course, short course qualifying times can be used to enter the athlete into the meet. All ages can prelim and final at this meet.

Qualifying Times: TBD

Winter US Opens:

Winter US Opens is considered a National competition reserved for all ages. This is one of the last high ranking meets before Olympic Trial. Athletes from all over the nation come to participate at these meet, showcasing their skills and talents before their audience. In many cases, this event is televised. All ages can prelim and final at this meet.

Qualifying Times: TBD

Zone Map:

Use this link for more information about zones:

https://www.usaswimming.org/docs/default-source/governance/lsc-maps/lsc-zone-map.pdf

Meets in order of intensity (least intense: bottom / most intense: top):