1. A swimmer will qualify for a specific class meet in a given stroke and distance when he has equaled or bettered the time standard for that event.
2. A swimmer who competes in a classified meet event at or better than the minimum standard shall thereafter be considered to be in that particular class in all courses and may not again compete in the same event in a lower class meet, even if he has not actually performed at or better than the time standard.
3. Qualifying By Stroke and Distance
   a.     Any swimmer who qualities A or AA for a specific stroke in a specific distance will be considered A or AA in the same distance in all courses. A swimmer who qualifies A or AA in 500 yd. Freestyle will be considered qualified in 400 meter Freestyle and vice-versa.
   b.     A swimmer maintains his classification for the duration of the meet even if he qualifies for the next class during the meet. This rule applies to relay events, also.
   c.     Any swimmer, upon changing age groups, who has previously met the A or AA standard in certain events in the new age group will be considered qualified for those events in his new age group.
   d.     A swimmer, who enters an event for which he is not qualified, or who has met the next higher time standard, shall scratch the event. Refusal to do this may make the swimmer and his/her coach subject to discipline by the Board of Review. Entry fee is not refundable.
   e.     When classified age group meets offer 15-18 age group events or 13-18 age group events, swimmers must qualify at their own age group time standard.

B.     ELIGIBILITY 

1.  Individual Eligibility
   
   a.     Registered swimmers up to and including age 18 are eligible to compete in the Age-Group program in those events scheduled for the particular age group. They must swim in one age group for an entire meet; also see A.3.a. above. Age on the first day of the meet governs for the entire meet.
    
   b.     Swimmers are eligible to compete only in the individual events or which they qualify in any classified meet. (AA, A, B)
    
   c.     In multi-class meets, i.e., B-A, B-A-AA, etc’, swimmers shall compete only in the division(s) for which they qualify and shall not compete in divisions of lower classification in any event for which they have achieved the time standard for the higher division.
    
   d.     In meets with only minimum standards, i.e., A+, B-A+, etc., swimmers will compete in events for which they have achieved the minimum standard, subject to limitations specified in 3; below.
    
   e.     Age Group Open Meets are open to all registered swimmers up to and including age 18, and swimmers shall not be classified by time standards. Also, see h. below.
    
   f.      Invitational meets are open only to swimmers from invited clubs.
    
   g.     Swimmers registered in other LSCs may swim in SNS B meets for which they qualify.
    
   h.     In meets, which provide for 8-under and 10-under events, the meet sheet shall state whether or not the 8-under is limited to 8-under events or may also swim 10-under events.
    
   i.      USA-S registered swimmers over the age of 18 may compete in 13-18 or 15-18 events, but will not be scored or awarded.
   
   
2.  Relay Eligibility
   

   a.     Swimmers may compete in relays in meets of higher classification than that for which they qualify in individual events; e.g., an A swimmer in 50 Free may swim on a relay in AA meets, etc.

    

   b.     Swimmers may not compete in relays in meets of lower classification than that for which they qualify in the like individual event; e.g., a AA swimmer in 50 Breast shall not be eligible for Breaststroke leg on a 200 Medley Relay team in an A meet.

    

   c.     Swimmers must compete within their own age group.
   
   
3. Event, Limitations
   

   a.     In trials and finals meets, qualified swimmers may compete in three 3 events per day, plus relays, for which they are eligible.

    

   b.     In timed-finals meets, qualified swimmers may compete in 5 events per day, plus relays, for which they are eligible.

    

   c.     A swimmer who enters too many events shall scratch events to conform to the above limitations. There is no guarantee of refund of entry fee.

    

1.  The trials and finals system shall be used in all SNS Age Group Championship level meets and in AA meets. A meets, B meets, multi-class, and Age Group Open meets shall operate on the timed-finals system. Invitational Meets may use either system.
2. Proof of time for championship meets.
   
   a.     Swimmers may be required to submit date and meet in which entry time was achieved on reverse side of the Consolidated Entry Card.
    
   b.     Any swimmer failing to perform at the standard or better may be required to furnish proof of having previously achieved his or her submitted time. Only official meet results, published results (newspapers or magazines), high school Sectional Championship results, or college meet results will be accepted as proof.
    
   c.     If the swimmer cannot show such proof of time, he/she shall be barred from his next individual event that meet day or the next day, whichever is first.

1. All SNS meets – Standard “A” medals only shall be awarded swimmers attaining A times, for the first time, in each event, regardless of place achieved in the event.
2. Championship Meets, AA, A - Awards for all finalists. The minimum is three medals or other distinctive awards, something other than a single ribbon, with ribbons for the balance of the finalists.
3. B Meets - No medals shall be awarded, except “A” medals. Ribbons only shall be awarded place winners.
4. Age Group Open Meets - Appropriate awards at the discretion of the host club. No awards by time standard (A, B, etc.). “A” medals are optional for swimmers attaining A time for the first time.
5. Multiclass meets - Awards for each listed class.
   For example:           B-A-AA, 3 sets of awards;
   B-A+, 2 sets of awards.
6. In meets where combined 15-18 age group events or combined 13-18 age group events are offered, awards may be given either to the combined age group or to the separate age groups at the option of the host club.
7. High point and team awards are optional in Championship meets, AA, A+, A and Age Group Open meets. No perpetual trophies may be established or awarded in A meets.
8. SNS Class A Swimmer patches may be purchased by the swimmer or his/her club. (Not awarded by host of meet.) For each of the five events qualifying, the swimmer may add one star-silver for A, gold for AA. He/she may continue to wear the patch even though in a subsequent year the time standard is changed. 

1. Teams need to demonstrate that they have enough volunteers to host a large, championship caliber meet.
2. It is preferred but not required the facility hosting this meet have at least 3 short course or 2 long course warm-up and warm-down lanes available while the meet is in session. All decisions will be made by the meet scheduling committee.
3. The meet will be held in a 4-day format during the summer and a 2-½ day format for both the 12&under and 13&up spring meets.
4. Teams should provide a written plan for the meet outlining the following:
   a.        Parking
   b.        How local media will be utilized
   c.        Finals program (music, awards, parading of swimmers, etc…)
   d.        Organization of volunteers
5. Meet sheets should be available at least 8 weeks prior to the start of the meet.
6. Evaluation forms are to be made available to coaches, parents and swimmers throughout the meet (to be quantified by the Sierra Nevada Junior Olympic Committee after the meet).
7. Standardized awards must be purchased through Hasty Awards.
   a.        LSC will cover individual awards
   b.        Host team will cover Team, high point, and team spirit.
   c.        Awards that must be given:
           1.     Team awards
           2.     High Point award
           3.        Team Spirit award- see attached
           4.        Individual awards
8.   A Nike dealer must be used as a vendor.
9.   Team scores and high point scores are to be announced at least once per session.
10.   Results should be sent by e-mail to teams either Sunday night or Monday morning after the meet.
11.   The host team should send complete results to SwimConnection by Monday following the meet (make available in a sdif format).
12.   Results need to be posted in a timely manner
             a.        Complete prelim results should be posted no later than 30 min after the completion of that prelim session.
             b.        Finals results should be posted before the start of the next day’s prelim session.
13.   Hospitality should be sufficient and appropriate for trials and finals meet.
             a.      Snacks throughout the day
             b.        Drinks throughout the day
             c.        Lunch provided
             d.        Dinner provided
14.   2 swimmers to a lane for any events will not be allowed at any time.
15.   Swim Connection time verification will be used to verify entry times. Only times in database will count for qualifying times.

1. Incorporating an educated and enthusiastic announcer for finals sessions.
2. Provide goody bags for kids.

Sierra Nevada Swimming is a Local Swimming Committee of USA Swimming. You can also join Sierra Nevada Swimming through your local swim team. Find a team in your area by clicking here.