National Age Group Recognition Program
Distributed by USA-Swimming following the September 2007 National Convention
The National Age Group Recognition Program is an awards program for the top level of age group swimmers. It is administered by the Times and Recognition Committee with the assistance of the USA Swimming Staff. All times which are accepted as “official times” by USA Swimming, from sanctioned, approved or observed competition, are eligible for consideration. The swimmer must have been a registered member of USA Swimming at the time of the swim.
All official times are considered reportable. A motivational chart will be published in the USA Swimming Rules and Regulations that shows the top ten times in each single age group, ages 11-17, from the preceding year.
The program awards consist of certificates which are awarded to the fastest 10 swimmers of each gender in each recognized event in each single age group, ages 11-17. The awards are made for both short course yard and long course meter events. In addition, the fastest swimmer in each event receives a pin.
Awards are also made to relay teams using standard age group definitions, beginning with ages 11-12 and continuing for 13-14, and 15-18. A club may only have one relay team listed in an event unless the other team or teams are composed only of swimmers not listed on the first.
Certificates and pins are distributed to the LSCs by USA Swimming Headquarters. The age groups used for individual events are 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17. Certificates for ages 11-14 will be sent from USA Swimming to the proper LSC. Blank certificates for ages 15, 16, and 17 will be sent to the LSC upon request. The LSC may print certificates for its athletes in those age groups. Beginning with the 2007-08 season, the age groups for relay events are 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18. Certificates will be sent for ages 11-12 and 13-14 and blank certificates will be sent upon request to the LSC for ages 15-18.
Note: The USA Athlete reps on this committee felt “lookup” of their national rankings online to be adequate in lieu of actual certificates; that is why the decision was made not to automatically send T10 to USA athletes for the 15-18 age groups.
The time frame for each year’s recognition is September 1st through August 31st of the following year. Lists are compiled and checked in the fall and the final list prepared and announced prior to the end of the year.
Posted by:
Brent Peaden
Ohio Records Chair
Nov 21, 2007