Types of Meets
Time Trials: This is a "practice meet" that is conducted as a regular meet with timers, recorders and a starter, but involves only our team. Dual meets throughout the season run in a similar manner to Time Trials, so this is the day that everyone gets a chance to rehearse - swimmers, coaches and parents alike.
Dual Meets: Dual meets consist of two teams competing against one another. The meets will either take place at Meadow or at the opposing team’s pool. The order of events is generally: Medley Relay, Individual Medley (IM), Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke, Butterfly and the Freestyle Relay. Swimmers compete in age groups as follows: 6 & under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and 15-18. Points are given 1st through 3rd for individual events and 1st & 2nd for relays.
Dual Meets are listed on the schedule as “A”, “A+1”,”A+2”,”A/B” or “B” meets.
An “A” Meet is a meet in which generally only for swimmers with top fastest times in one or more of the strokes for their age group compete. That said, note that placement in races at an "A" Meet is dependent on 1) most recent times achieved as time and 2) the swimmers who have committed to the meet.
- An “A+1” Meet is limited to two heats per event per age group. This generally means the Top 10 swimmers will be slotted based on times per event.
- An "A+2" Meet has three heats. This generally means the Top 12 swimmers will be slotted based on times per event.
- An "A+3" Meet has four heats. This generally means the Top 15 swimmers will be slotted based on times per event.
A “B” Meet is a meet consisting of those swimmers who generally do not swim in “A” meets. These meets have multiple heats and are not scored. “B” meets generally exclude the swimmers with one of the three fastest times in multiple events.
An “A/B” Meet will include a combination of “A” and “B” swimmers. Entering swimmers in these meets will depend on many factors, such as the quality of the team we swim, or limitations on the length of the meet, what the other team’s coach wants to do, and a consideration for which swimmers need to be in the meet. Some meets may emphasize “A” swimmers only; some may be low “A”/high "B;” some may be primarily “B.” “A/B” meets are scored using only the times of the swimmers in the first heat.
** We strongly recommend you "commit" your swimmer(s) to all the meets they are able to attend for the season. This will give them the best number of opportunities to race, even if you are uncertain whether he/she is eligible for an "A" meet. Again, placement in "A" meets are based on fastest times of those committed to the meet. **
Invitationals: Invitational Meets are meets in which Meadow is invited to participate, along with numerous other clubs. Invitational meets are fundraisers for the hosting club. Invitational meets are usually all-day events. Come prepared! Bring snacks, water, games, books, shade, cash, sunscreen and plenty of towels. Please plan to purchase programs (heat sheets) and meals at the concessions offered by the host club. It is an important part of the fundraising effort!
This year's invitationals are the following:
OPP Relays: This invitational is limited to the top six finishing teams from the previous OMPA Championship. This is a relay only and usually the top 5-8 swimmers in each age group attend.
Bottoms Up: This invitational meet is sponsored by MVP and is offered for the swimmers in the lower part of their age groups: ages 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15. It provides a great opportunity for each swimmer in the bottom half of their age group to post some great swims. This meet runs an entire day (warm ups around 8 a.m. and coaches' and parents' relays finishing around 4 p.m.)
Meadow Mini Meet: This invitational meet is for swimmers 8 and under ONLY. Swimmers will swim their actual age on the day of the meet. Swimmers will compete against others of their own age: 7 year olds only against 7 year olds, etc. This meet is divided into two smaller meets. The 6 and unders swim in the morning and the 7/8 year olds swim in the afternoon. Mini Meet is a big day for Meadow - it is our only fundraiser and is a huge endeavor - all families must work even if your child is not swimming. Swimmers ages 9+ are also asked to help run various parts of the meet alongside our adult volunteers. Mini Meet is always a highlight of the summer!
Sleepy Hollow "B" Meet: To compete in the “B” Invitational, the swimmer must have “B” qualifying “cut-off” times in each stroke. The meet is divided into two parts: Ages 8 & Under compete in the morning and swimmers ages 9 & up compete in the afternoon. 8 & under swim 8-12:30, 9 & ups swim 12:30-5:00.
OMPA League Championship, OMPA (Orinda Moraga Pool Association)
OMPA is the mother of all swim meets and is the largest single sports event in the Orinda-Moraga area. It is held at the Soda Aquatic Center at Campolindo High School in Moraga. All teams in the OMPA compete. Swimmers may enter up to three events.
The I.M. events (timed finals) for all age groups will be held on Friday evening. Freestyle, Breaststroke (trials and finals) and Medley Relays (timed finals) are held on Saturday. Backstroke, Butterfly (trials and finals) and Freestyle Relays (timed finals) are on Sunday.
Special spirit activities are planned for the week preceding OMPA, and team spirit and pride definitely peak at this event. We need 100% participation, effort and spirit to achieve a team performance of which we can all be proud. We have a wonderful, all-team dinner at Meadow on Sunday night.
County Championship
This is the final meet of the season, hosted by LMYA at Acalanes High School in Lafayette. A swimmer must meet specific qualifying times (“Gold" times) to enter this two-day meet, and each swimmer may enter two events. The top swimmers in the county from over 60 teams attend and the meet it is considered to be one of the most prestigious championship meets in America! This will be a team meet for all Individual and Relay qualifiers.
