I just learned what “Time Trials” means. Now I keep hearing about an “A Meet”. What is an “A Meet”?

“A Meets” are competed on Saturday mornings. Our schedule – opponents and location of meets – is dictated to us by the league (the Montgomery County Swim League, or MCSL; lots of good information on its website, MCSL.org). Our first A Meet is this Saturday, June 14 at** River Falls (at** = away = not at Stonegate).

In addition to telling us where and against whom we are competing on Saturdays, the MCSL establishes the rules of competition (which are many, many pages long). Probably most relevant of the rules, the League limits each team to approximately 60 swimmers (approx. 30 boys and 30 girls). That 60 is divided up amongst the five age groups – so, six swimmers of each gender for each of 8 & Under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18.

As I am typing this, we have more than 160 swimmers on our Regular Team. 160 swimmers on team > 60 swimmers in A Meet. As the numbers indicate, many swimmers will not be in the lineup for every Saturday “A” Meet. This is OK and why we have “B” Meets…

Wait, what? What is a “B Meet”?

“B Meets” are competed on Wednesday afternoons/evenings. Our schedule is entirely up to us – thank you B Reps for putting together this (and every year’s) schedule! Whenever possible, we try to schedule B Meets with an emphasis on proximity. Our first B Meet is at home (= at Stonegate) on Wednesday June 18.

There is no limit on the number of swimmers who can compete in a B Meet. If your swimmer is practicing with the swim team, (s)he will be entered into the B Meets unless you tell the coaches that your swimmer is unavailable for a given meet.

Times achieved in B Meets ‘count’; that is, the coaches are keeping track as they develop the lineup for the following A Meet. We do not typically keep team scores at B Meets, though who’s kidding who? Of course we are watching to see if our swimmers beat the socks off their swimmers.

My swimmer just did the Evaluations is on Pre-Team. Can I order Stonegate gear?

Yes. Online ordering from the Stonegate Shanty is back for a LIMITED time. The link is here: https://athletichouse.chipply.com/stonegateserpentsswim/

That link expires June 15^th (this Sunday). The ‘brick and mortar’ version of the Shanty can be found at home meets throughout the season.

The (optional) Team Suit is not sold through the Shanty; rather, go here: https://serpents.swimtopia.com/team-store and follow the links to the Stonegate Serpents Store at SwimOutlet.com.

I saw the Officials at Time Trials and was really impressed. I think I want to do that too. Is it too late?

So glad you asked. No, it is not too late. There is one more online clinic – Wednesday June 11 at 7pm. You will need to pre-register (go here: https://mcsl.org/officials/ scroll down until you see “Last Chance” Stroke & Turn Clinic).

We can never have enough officials. We will not throw you to the wolves. The white shirt & blue shorts/skirt ‘uniform’ makes outfit planning a breeze. Grab a friend and do the clinic together!

As always, do not hesitate to reply with questions. If the same question gets asked often enough, there may be another edition of Q&A.

Volunteer signups are open at Serpents.swimtopia.com.