About Meets
When you first join the swim team, the new terminology can feel overwhelming. We hope this guide will help clarify everything you need to know and enhance your experience.
The Eldwick Swim Team participates in two summer swim leagues: the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL) and the Potomac Swim League (PSL).
Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL)
MCSL is the more structured of the two leagues, featuring a range of competitive meets. These include:
- Time Trials: This exclusive Eldwick Swim Team event kicks off the season, providing an essential opportunity for coaches to assess swimmers' performance and establish baseline times for the season ahead.
- "A" Meets: Scheduled on Saturday mornings (unless rescheduled by mutual agreement), these dual meets include two teams and typically begin at 9:00 AM, concluding around noon. Swimmers should arrive early for warm-ups. Participation is limited, with each team allowed up to 6 swimmers in freestyle events and 3 in backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly events. Each team can enter 2 relay teams per event, totaling 4 relay events throughout the meet. Coaches meticulously prepare lineups in advance, and substitutions on meet day are kept to a minimum. Swimmers are generally limited in the number of events they can swim. After meets, the team often gathers to enjoy a meal, fostering camaraderie. For home meets, sign-up sheets are typically found at the concession table, while for away meets, the Swim Reps choose a nearby restaurant for lunch. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask the Swim Reps!
- Divisional Meets: These exciting end-of-season competitions unite all six teams within the division. Each team is represented by two swimmers in each event, fostering a spirit of sportsmanship and friendly rivalry.
- Relay Carnival (Divisional Relays): One of the highlights of the season! All teams in the division compete at a single venue in a variety of thrilling relay events. Each team provides one entry per event, creating an electrifying atmosphere filled with teamwork and enthusiasm.
Potomac Swim League (PSL)
In contrast, PSL presents a more relaxed and informal setting, offering swimmers more chances to compete.
- "B" Meets: Held on Wednesday evenings, these meets provide essential additional competitive opportunities in a supportive and fun environment. The PSL guidelines stipulate that if you are among your team’s top 2 swimmers in a specific event, you may not compete in that event. However, at the discretion of the coaches, you may be permitted to swim the event at a longer distance or against older swimmers. The event order mirrors that of "A" meets, with a kickboard event added at the outset. This special event allows younger swimmers to participate actively, swimming one length of the pool while being assisted by more experienced teammates—an excellent way for newcomers to immerse themselves in the excitement of racing!
We hope this guide helps demystify the competitive swimming landscape and enhances your journey with the Eldwick Swim Team. Embrace the thrill of the season and make lasting memories!
What to bring to a meet:
- team suit
- goggles
- cap
- towel(s)
- change of clothes
- snacks/money for snacks
What to do in a meet:
- Be on time - Swimmers should be in designated team area 15 minutes before our scheduled warm-up time
- Prepare for warm-ups: put on swimsuit, cap, and goggles
- When warm-ups start, you should be in the water and swimming
- At the end of warm-ups, the swimmers do a cheer in the water!
- After exiting the pool, swimmers should return to the team area and stay there for the entirety of the meet.
- Swimmers should report to the clerk of course (with their suit, cap, and goggles on) at least 2 events prior to their race
- Swim fast and cheer for you fellow sharks!!
- After your race, report to the coaches for feedback
- Half time: swimmers should be in the team area for cheers!
- After the meet, we will have a team lunch. If it is a home meet, we will eat at the pool (sign-ups will be available at the beginning of the meet). If it is an away meet, we will be going out to a local restaurant for a team lunch.
***Check with the coaches to see if it is okay to leave; you may be in a relay!***
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