New England Swimming

Contacts	Phone	E-mail
Meet Manager: Mary Gentry	603/653-1068 day 802/295-8976 evening	ncac.meet.entries@gmail.com
Meet Referee: Ken Vutech Administrative Referee: Cathy Schubert	802/332-6264 978/263-1764	kvutech@micros-retail.com onepinkcadillac@comcast.net
Entry Chair: Mary Gentry	603/653-1068 day 802/295-8976 evening	ncac.meet.entries@gmail.com

SESSSIONS:

Date	Session	Warm-up	Meet Start
Thursday February 19	Evening Timed Final All Ages	5:00pm	6:00pm
Friday February 20	Morning 11 & 12 Prelims Afternoon 10 & Under Timed Finals Evening 11 & 12 Finals	7:00am 12:30pm 5:30pm	8:30am 1:30pm 6:30pm
Saturday February 21	Morning 11 & 12 Prelims Afternoon 10 & Under Timed Finals Evening 11 & 12 Finals	7:00am 12:30pm 5:30pm	8:30am 1:30pm 6:30pm
Sunday February 22	Morning 11 & 12 Prelims Afternoon 10 & Under Timed Finals Evening 11 & 12 Finals	7:00am 1:00pm 5:30pm	8:30am 2:00pm 6:30pm

Start times may be changed once all entries have been received. Teams will be notified of exact times by e-mail.

SITE: The Upper Valley Aquatic Center (UVAC) is located at 100 Arboretum Lane, White River Junction, VT 05001. http://www.uvac-swim.org Directions may be found later in this document. The UVAC competition pool has ten 7 foot wide 25 yard long lanes, with non-turbulent lane lines, Colorado Timing System electronic touch pads and alphanumeric display scoreboard. The minimum depth of the pool is seven feet deep. There are no touch pads at the turn end of the pool. There is balcony seating for 400 spectators. There is a separate leisure pool with two 25 yard lanes available for warm-up and warm-down throughout the meet. The rest of the leisure pool (one more lap lane, lazy river, zero entry play structure) will remain open to the public throughout the meet. Spectators may purchase day passes to use the leisure pool during the meet. Only people with proper credentials will be allowed on the competition pool deck. There is no smoking in the building or within 500 feet of the building. Failure to abide by rules defined in this notice, posted at the facility or determined by the Meet Referee, Meet Director, or Facility Director may result in ejection from the facility.

COURSE: Short course yards (25 yards).

EVENTS and SESSIONS: See attached list.

FORMAT: The 11 & 12 age group will be a Trials / Finals Format for individual events. Two heats of swimmers – Consolation and Championship finals - will return for the evening finals session. Consolation and Championship Final Heats will be swum in that order. The 1000 free, 1650 free, 500 free, 400 IM and all relays are timed final events. No heats of these events will be swum in the finals sessions. Individuals swimming the 1650 free, 500 free, 1000 free and 400 IM are responsible for providing their own counter and two timers. Teams swimming the 11&12 400 Free Relay Thursday evening are also responsible for providing two timers. All heats of the 1000 free and 1650 free will swim fastest to slowest, alternating girls and boys. Girls and boys may be combined if that requires fewer heats. Thursday evening will be seeded by computer during warm-ups of that session. Friday through Sunday 11 & 12 sessions (non-distance events) will be seeded based on scratches submitted the night before for prelims and during prelims for finals. All distance events and the 400 free relay will have positive check-in during warm-ups of their session. Failure to positively check-in for Thursday’s events and other distance events will result in the swimmer not being seeded in that event.

The 10 & Under age group will be timed finals for all events. Coaches will receive scratch sheets that they must submit more than 30 minutes before the start of the session. The 500 Free will have a positive check-in. Failure to positively check-in for the 500 free will result in the swimmer not being seeded in that event. Swimmers in the 500 are responsible for providing their own counter and two timers.

Heat sheets will be posted around the pool deck. Copies of heat sheets will be given to coaches and available for purchase for parents. Swimmers should report directly to the blocks for their events. Coaches and swimmers are responsible for ensuring swimmers are in the correct heat and lane.

ELIGIBILITY: All contestants must be 2009 USA Swimming registered athletes. All swimmers must be registered before the entry is submitted. Teams that enter unregistered swimmers will be subject to a fine of $100 per unregistered swimmer. New England teams entering the meet are required to check their entries with the online registration check tool on the New England Swimming web site. http://www.neswim.com/tools/registration.html Please contact the New England Swimming Office for registration information. Disabled swimmer forms are available from the New England Swimming Office. New England Swimming Office: 20 Cleveland Road, Needham MA 02492, 781-449-0270, office@neswim.com.

ENTRY INFORMATION:

•	Swimmers may enter any number of events. 11 & 12 swimmers may only compete in a maximum of three (3) individual events per day (including time trials) and a maximum of nine (9) individual events in the meet (not including time trials). 10 & Under swimmers may compete in a maximum of 9 individual events throughout the meet.
•	Qualification period: February 01, 2008 through February 15, 2009.
•	Seeding order: SCY, LCM, SCM.
•	Regular Entry Deadline: All entries must be received by Tuesday, February 10, 2009.
•	Electronic Email Entries: Email a Hy-Tek entries file (preferred) or a SDIF file to ncac.meet.entries@gmail.com. Your email must be received by the regular entry deadline. Please include your team initials in the email subject.
•	A signed waiver, and hard copy printout of entries must be mailed along with the entry fees. Please print your entry report organized “by athlete” (not “by event”), and include the meet name that the entry time was achieved at. Your signed entry cover and waiver, proof of times report and payment must arrive no later than Friday, February 13, 2009
•	When mailing, United States Postal Service Overnight Mail method is to be used. Indicate that the package can be delivered even if no one is there to sign for it. No fax entries will be accepted. Make checks payable to “North Country Aquatic Club”. Mail completed forms including signed entry cover page and waiver and list of entries showing qualifying meets (proof of times report) and payment to the entry chairperson: Mary Gentry, 193 Stonecrest Ave, White River Junction, VT 05001 (802/295-8976).
•	Non-Electronic Entries: Send entry forms, completed and signed entry cover and waiver, and entry fee to the entry address. Your entry materials must be received on or before the regular entry deadline of February 10, 2009.
•	Teams may enter up to two relays per relay event. All relays may score. Relays are age specific. Swimmers may not age up for a relay.
•	Relay-Only Swimmers: Relay-only swimmers are allowed based on the number of entered qualifying athletes per age group and gender:
	0 qualifying athletes = 0 relay-only swimmers
	1 qualifying athlete = 3 relay-only swimmers
	2 qualifying athletes = 2 relay-only swimmers
	3 qualifying athletes = 1 relay-only swimmer
	4 or more qualifying athletes = 0 relay-only swimmers
•	All relay-only swimmers must be listed on the official entry form.
•	Bonus Events: No bonus events are permitted.

ENTRY FEES: $4.00 Electronic / $4.50 Paper per individual 10 & U event

$5.00 Electronic / $5.50 Paper per individual 11 & 12 event

$16.00 Electronic / $16.50 Paper per 10 & U relay

$20.00 Electronic / $20.50 Paper per 11 & 12 relay

$2.00 per swimmer New England Travel Fee Surcharge

$5.00 per Swimmer Participation Fee

NEW CUTS: New cuts only achieved after the February 10 entry deadline will be accepted until Monday, February 16, 2009 at 5:00pm EST. Fees are due February 18 along with an updated Proof of Times report. New cuts must be submitted by email to ncac.meet.entries@gmail.com. No updated times will be accepted.

VERIFICATION: All hard copies of entries must include verifications. There will be a verification table at 12 & Under Age Group Championships. At this meet teams must submit to the verification table a copy of their meet entry with verification of all times indicated. Teams must also include a copy of any non-New England calendar meet results used for entry times. Results will be reviewed by New England Swimming. Any swimmer unable to verify an entry time will be barred from the rest of the meet. If several swimmers from one team are unable to verify entry times the swimmers and the coach may be banned from the remainder of the meet.

SCRATCHES:

Scratches for 11 & 12 events: Scratch deadlines for Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11 & 12 prelim events will be due by 6:00pm the night before. Scratches are submitted by filling out a three part scratch form available at the Clerk of Course table. Scratches for Friday only may be made by phone to Mariella Allard, 508-633-8821 until 6:00 pm Thursday, February 19th, 2009. All Thursday Evening events will be POSITIVE CHECK-IN by 5:30 pm at the Clerk of Course table on deck. Special scratch notes for the 11 & 12 events.

1.	Any swimmer who fails to compete in an individual event heat in which he/she is entered and has not been scratched will be barred from further new competition for that day, including relays and time trials. The swimmer will be also automatically scratched from the following day’s events unless the Clerk of Course has been notified of the swimmers intention to compete by 6:00 pm. NOTE: Finals are considered continuation of events starting with trials.
2.	Any swimmer who qualifies for the Championship or Consolation Finals and wants to withdraw from the final must notify the Clerk of Course of that intent to withdraw within 30 minutes of the preliminary results being announced. Any Finals qualifier who fails to notify the Clerk of Course of his/her intention to withdraw from the final within 30 minutes of announcing the preliminary results or is not excused by the referee, and does not compete will be barred from all subsequent competition in the meet including relays and time trials.
3.	Any team that has a no-show swimmer in the Finals on Sunday evening will be fined $100 per no-show.
4.	The 400 Free Relay, 500 Free, 400 IM, 1000 Free and 1650 Free events must confirm their intention to participate with a POSITIVE CHECK-IN during warm-ups of that session (by 5:30 PM for Thursday evening events, by 8:30 AM for Friday through Sunday distance events). Failure to check-in will result in the swimmer not being seeded for that event.

Scratches for 10 & Under afternoon sessions: Scratches must be turned in to the timing table 30 minutes before the start of the session using the team scratch sheets (entry lists) provided at the meet. Thursday’s 500 Free will be a POSITIVE CHECK-IN by 5:30 pm at the Clerk of Course table. Failure to positively check-in for the 500 free will result in the swimmer not being seeded for that event. There is no penalty for not scratching any event except that everyone will see the empty lane.

RELAY CARDS: For both the 11-12 and 10 & Under sessions, relay cards must be submitted to the Clerk of Course 30 minutes before the start of the session. Preliminary names for the relay should be submitted at that time. Names and the order of the swimmers may be changed up to the time of the relay heat. Any changes must be submitted to the Clerk of Course before the start of that relay’s heat.

TIME TRIALS: Time trials will be available at the discretion of the meet referee and meet director, and if time allows, after the prelims sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Please be aware that time trials count towards the daily maximum of three individual events for 11 & 12 swimmers. All time trial swimmers must provide two timers for their swims. Time trials are $5 for individual events and $20 for relays. Sign-up for time trials at the Clerk of Course table. Time trials are open to any swimmer registered with USA Swimming. Time Trial swimmers not already entered in the meet must present their USA swimming registration card or report to the Clerk of Course.

ADMISSION: $1.00 per session.

PSYCH SHEETS: $5.00 – includes all events for the weekend

HEAT SHEETS: $3.00 per session.

WARM UPS: Teams will be assigned warm-up lanes after all entries are received. Flagrant violations of the warm up procedures may result in disqualification from the meet for unsportsmanlike conduct. Encourage swimmers to cooperate with meet marshals and life guards. Before the start of the distance events 400 IM, 11 & 12 500 FR, 1650 FR a 10 minute warm-up will be provided at the conclusion of the prior prelim event. A session time line will be complied with designated awards presentations, breaks and warm-up/warm-down periods. At the conclusion of finals, after the award presentation we will provide a 10 minute warm-down in the competition pool.

OTHER MEET NOTES

Coaches are expected to understand the scratch, verification, and relay rules before the meet begins. Do not let your swimmer miss his or her best event because you failed to understand all meet procedures and protocols. All coaches should check-in at the Clerk of Course on the pool deck upon arrival. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their swimmers at all times. Any damage to the premises or equipment is the responsibility of those doing the damage. North Country Aquatic Club, Upper Valley Aquatic Center, and New England Swimming assume no responsibility for lost or stolen property. No pets (except service dogs) are allowed within the facility. Smoking is not permitted within 500 feet of the facility.

PHOTOGRAPHERS:

As per USA Swimming and New England Swimming policy, the only photographers allowed on the pool deck at any time during the meet (including during warm ups) must be professional photographers contracted by NCAC or press photographers who have been approved in advance by the Meet Director and have been properly credentialed. Email the Meet Director with questions and requests.

SAFETY:

1.	Diving will be prohibited during warm-ups except in specifically announced one-way sprint lanes. There will be no diving in the warm-up and warm-down lanes at any time
2.	No shaving is permitted at the competition site.
3.	No glass containers are permitted within the facility.
4.	Swimmers must be under the supervision of a coach. If a swimmer arrives at the meet without a coach, the swimmer should notify the referee before he/she warms up. The referee will assign the swimmer to a registered coach for warm-ups. Please notify the referee prior to the meet if you know no coach will be attending.
5.	No camera cell phones are permitted in the locker rooms.
6.	No flash photography is allowed at the start of events.

RULES: 2009 USA Swimming rules will govern all competition. Decisions by the meet referee will be final unless a written protest is lodged within 30 minutes of the heat swum.

SCORING:

Place	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	13	15	16
Individual	20	17	16	15	14	13	12	11	9	7	6	5	4	3	2	1
Relay	40	34	32	30	28	26	24	22	18	14	12	10	8	6	4	2

AWARDS: Medals will be awarded for the first 8 places in individual events and first 3 places in relays; ribbons for 9-16 places individual, and 4-8 relays. Awards for the top 8 places in each individual event and the top 3 teams in each relay event will be presented throughout the meet. Once entries have been received a session time line will be complied with designated awards presentations scheduled.

Plaques will be awarded to the individual high point winners for both boys and girls for the first eight places for each age group. Awards will be given for combined 12 & Under Team High Point places 1-8. Individual 10 & Under High Point plaques will be awarded at the end of the Sunday afternoon session. 11 & 12 Individual High Point and Team High Point plaques will be awarded at the end of the Sunday evening session. Coaches are responsible for making sure their swimmer is present to receive their award. Ribbons for 9-16 in individual events and 4-8 in relay events may be picked at the end of the Sunday sessions. Coaches are responsible for picking up awards envelopes.

TIMERS AND OFFICIALS:

In accordance with standard NES Championship procedures, all teams entering the meet must provide a prorated share of officials and timers and other required personnel. Work assignments will be based on the number entries per team. Teams will be informed of their assignments prior to the meet via e-mail. All swimmers in the 500 freestyle, 1000 freestyle and 1650 freestyle must provide 2 timers and 1 counter for their swim. All swimmers in the 400 IM preliminaries must provide 2 timers for their swim. All teams in the 11 & 12 400 Free Relay must provide two timers.

All officials are encouraged to submit an Intent to Officiate form http://www.neswim.com/forms/intent_to_officiate.pdf prior to the meet deadline (February 10th). Officials doing so will help the meet referee with planning and scheduling the sessions. In addition, any official submitting an Intent to Officiate form by the entry deadline will receive credit for the distribution of team work assignments. Officials may submit an Intent form after the entry deadline but the team will not receive credit. For specific questions concerning your availability or for further information, please contact the Meet Referee Ken Vutech at kvutech@micros-retail.com or at (802) 332-6264 before the meet.

DECK ACCESS: Only athletes, coaches, officials, and official meet staff are permitted on the competition pool deck. All non-athletes on the pool deck (except timers) must display their USA Swimming registration card at all times. Individuals without their USA Swimming registration card will be removed from the pool deck, and will be subject to a fine by New England Swimming.

FOOD / VENDOR: A concession stand will be in operation for the duration of the meet. (Thank you to the CCBA Swordfish) A vendor will be selling suits, goggles, and other accessories for the duration of the meet.

DIRECTIONS:

The Upper Valley Aquatic Center (UVAC) is located at 100 Arboretum Lane in White River Junction, Vermont 05001. (Arboretum Lane is so new it may not be on your GPS unit or web applications – it is across Route 5 from 1 Wright Reservoir Rd, White River Junction)

- At the junction of Interstates I-89 and I-91 in Vermont, go north on I-91 and immediately take Exit 11 for White River Junction.

- Turn left off the exit (before the stop light) on to Route 5 South.

- Follow Route 5 immediately under the interstate

- Travel ½ mile, go under the other interstate, and take the next left on to Arboretum Lane.

- UVAC is the only building on Arboretum Lane.

http://www.uvac-swim.org/About_UVAC/directions.html

PARKING: Free but limited parking is available at the facility. Carpooling from the hotels is appreciated.

LODGING: The following hotels and motels are in the area. The White River Junction hotels marked with an * are less than one mile from the facility (even closer if you could walk across the interstate):

Baymont Inn (was Airport Inn)	Econo Lodge* (was Best Western)	Hotel Coolidge
West Lebanon, NH	White River Junction, VT	White River Junction, VT
603/298-8888	802/295-3015	802/295-3118

Comfort Inn	Fireside Inn & Suites	Norwich Inn
White River Junction, VT	West Lebanon, NH	Norwich, VT
802/295-3051	603/298-5900	802/649-1143

Comfort Suites *	Hampton Inn *	Quality Inn
White River Junction, VT	White River Junction, VT	Quechee, VT
802/291-9911	802/296-2800	802/295-7600

Courtyard by Marriott	Hanover Inn	Residence Inn by Marriott
Lebanon, NH	Hanover, NH	Lebanon, NH
603/643-5600	603/643-4300	603/643-4511

Days Inn	Holiday Inn Express *	Super 8 Motel *
Lebanon, NH	White River Junction, VT	White River Junction, VT
603/448-5070	802/299-2700	802/295-7577