USA Swimming Announces New Time Standards for 2013-2016

USA Swimming has announced the new National Age Group Motivational Times for 2013-2016. Beginning in January 2013 all meets will use the new time standards (including all championship meets). When you click the link above, be sure you look at the page that says "Short Course Yards" for our short course season (September - April).

National Age Group Motivational Times (NAG times) are used to classify and compare swims for a specific gender in specific age groups across the country. They are also used to determine eligibility for various swim meets, including championships. For some meets, you must be slower than a certain time in order to swim in that meet, while for others you must be faster than a certain time in order to participate. 

There are three championship meets at the end of short course season: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each meet has different NAG time requirements for eligibility:

• Bronze is for swimmers who are slower than 'B' times 
• Silver is for swimmers who are faster than 'B' times 
• Gold is for swimmers who are faster than 'A' times

Swimmers often use this as a goal setting opportunity. For example - "I would like to earn one or more 'B' cuts so I can swim in Silver Champs." Swimmers may swim in more than one championship meet if they meet the NAG time standards (ex - child is slower than a 'B' cut in the 50 fly, but has a 'B' cut in the 50 free so s/he can swim in both Bronze and Silver).

It is important to be aware of what the NAG times are so that you know which meets your swimmer is eligible for, but these times should not be the only focus or tool used to measure your swimmer's success. A swimmer is successful as long as s/he is continuing to make improvements (i.e. learning a new stroke, perfecting stoke and turn techniques, dropping time in an event, et cetera).

If you have any questions regarding the NAG times, or about which meets your swimmer qualifies for, please ask! The coaches are always more than happy to help. 

Coach Eric - aquaman429@cox.net
Coach Kara - ms.kdennis@gmail.com

Or leave a comment on here or find the nearest coach before or after the next NEON practice!

GO NEON!