Does it help my D is a backstroke (50, 100 and 200) and IM (200) swimmer? I have been nudging her to swim long distance but very few are happy to jump into long distance…
That’s why I provided NEPSSA link. You can look at the past championship results. Also, the Div. I championship meet results are on MM. The NEPSCA schools you are looking at are Div. I. I suggest this as a way to gauge what BS coaches will be looking for in swim times. AAA and AAAA times are strong. I just don’t know how they compare. Coaches look for the ability to score points. The bottom line you/ your daughter need to chat with coaches. Only they can really tell you what they are looking for.
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Okay, so at the past New England Championships the slowest preliminary women’s time in 100 backstroke that made it into finals was a 1:03.52. And the slowest time for a 200 IM was a 2:15.98. Some schools may want to see something at or very near those times and others may be interested in seeing that a swimmer can get there by say sophomore year. This is why talking with coaches will be valuable, only they will be able to tell you what they want/need. Us, on the board, are just reading tea leaves and giving you what our experience was.
FYI- HS swimming there are no 200 stroke events other than 200 IM. You are limited to two individual events and two relays at any given meet. A strong 50 back time is valuable for relays. The same goes for 50 and 100 free times.
Fair enough. Definitely a lot more competitive for boys due to the reduced number of programs.
You are getting the cart way before the bourse. My swimmer made sectionals for the first time as a sophomore, then Winter Jrs later that year.
No one expects your D to make Jrs in time for BS. Theirs is only a handful of girls who do that. She needs to have solid Futures+ times by 11th grade. Where she chooses to go to HS may make or break that deal. While there are exceptions, this is much more likely at Peddie/Mercersburg than at Andover/Exeter, simply because the sport requires year round training no matter how you cut it.
AAA times are competitive at the high school level. She’s fine. Call the coaches and get to know them. Find the school and the program that fits her best, where she can flourish. ALL these schools mentioned are great, even if some are more well known nationally than others.
Those are good events. At the HS level good IMers are hard to come by, and they are versatile. Usually strong enough in any individual stroke to fill a whole. And no, distance is not better. There are fewer kids but also fewer opportunities to score. Most college coaches will take a sprinter over a distance swimmer any day because relays are worth so many points. Now, if she has the endurance for a great 4IM on top of it, that’s something coaches will look at. Also something she will never do if only focused on HS swimming.
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Thank you very much Swimmom2006!
D is currently the youngest 7th grader at age 12. Her 50Y backstroke time is 29.01, 100Y backstroke time is 1:04.11 (just missing the NE Championship finals) and 200Y IM time is 2:20.15 (she has a bit to go to get to the finals but she has a chance to improve). When is the best time to reach out to the BSs swim coaches and what is the best way to approach them?
In the fall of eighth grade, when you are exploring schools. Email the coach introducing yourself and letting them know you are interested in applying and want to know more about the team. Regardless of hearing back or not, always let the coach know if you will be on campus and ask if they are around to meet. You should also ask/let admissions know you are interested in meeting with the coach if you schedule a tour.
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Thank you everyone for taking the time to answer questions. I am truly grateful for the insight and recommendations. Will discuss with D and wife. This is a wonderful site!
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We started to reach out in the late spring before 8th grade. We emailed the coaches of the schools we were interested in our intent to visit informally over summer and set up chats with the coaches at that time. And then did formal visits in the fall with more talks with the coaches. Our son kept the coaches updated on his progress during the SC season.
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Yes, definitely be hire any visits. If visiting in person you can also ask about joining the team for a workout.
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Most applicants who are athletes also make sure that they can meet the coach and team during or after practice when they visit the school for the interview. So let the admissions know and communicate with swim coaches once your apply in fall.
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Have your kid reach out (not you). Try a practice interview at home first so she can go through some of the most likely questions. The coaches really aren’t trying to ask trick questions and they understand that these are 8th graders. Make sure your kid has some questions for the coach. My kid’s zoom technique improved dramatically over the 8th grade fall.
Her times are great for a kid age 12.
The only way she can use 50Y back though is in the medley relay (and her IM).
100Y back and 200Y IM are events in high school meets, so those will be useful.
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Have your kid reach out (not you).
Great advice. Thank you.