See Updated 2002 LCM Calendar
See Updated 2002-2003 SCY Calendar

At this year’s New England Annual Meeting, several New England coaches met at the Coaches Meeting to discuss the championship meet schedule. In looking at the 2002-2003 Short Course Championship meet progression, most of the coaches wanted the District Championship Meet moved closer to the Age Group Championship Meet. It was proposed that District Championships be moved to the same weekend as Sectionals (from March 21-23, 2003 to March 7-9, 2003.) Coaches wanted this change for several reasons. The most frequently expressed reason was the desire to have all of the age group level swimmers finished with their short course season at roughly the same time. This allows swimmers time off from short course training. It also allows an earlier start to the long course training season. With most of the age group swimmers finishing their season at about the same time, all of the swimmers on the team will feel that they are part of one cohesive team. This schedule does not separate the age groups swimmers in their training as much as when the District swimmers had to wait several extra weeks for their championships meet. No one in attendance mentioned that they would like to see Districts moved before Age Group Championships. It was felt that Districts should be preserved as a championship meet for those swimmers, rather than a qualifier or “last chance” meet before Age Group Championships.

In discussing this summer’s Long Course Championship schedule, the group proposed that the New England Open Championship Meet be moved to the same weekend as Sectionals (from August 8-11, 2002 to August 1-4, 2002.) The main reason for this change is that National Championships begin on Monday, August 12, 2002. With the new meet dates, swimmers competing in the New England Open Championship Meet would have one week to rest and travel before attending Nationals. This change in meet dates also allows our best New England swimmers to compete in the New England Open Meet, Zones, and Nationals.

While both of these changes mean that two meets will be held on the same weekend, most coaches in attendance felt that teams wanting to attend both meets would have the coaching staff to accommodate all of their swimmers. It was very clear that all of the coaches in attendance had the interests of the swimmers and the coaches in making their decisions.

If you have any comments, questions, or ideas please feel free to e-mail your Coaches Representatives: Laura Matuszak (lmatuszak@smcvt.edu) and Dan Mascolo (hyvswimming@hotmail.com).