Understanding Time Standards
Across Minnesota Swimming, there are a number of different time standards to know and keep track of. These standards can be used to measure progress, set goals, and qualify for meets. We keep a list of important time standards on our website.
Here is a breakdown of what each standard means:
Minnesota Swimming Standards
Every year, around October, Minnesota Swimming’s Age Group and Senior Committees gather to set time standards for the year. This includes both short course yards and long course meters time standards.
There are six different standards set for each event in each age group:
- Bronze: this is the first standard set by MN Swimming. Times that are slower than Bronze are sometimes considered “Pre-Bronze”. Many Bronze and Pre-Bronze times qualify a swimmer for “Novice” meets, as well as the Minnesota Achievement Championships (MACs).
- Silver: these times are a step up from Bronze, and are typically used to qualify a swimmer for the Minnesota Regional Championships (MRCs). A swimmer with a Silver time in an event cannot swim that event at MACs.
- Gold: a step up from Silver and one step from a Champ time. These times also qualify for MRCs, and can be used as a standard for entry to other meets throughout the season as well. A swimmer with a Gold time in an event cannot swim that event at MACs.
- Champ: these times are the standard to qualify for the Age Group or Senior State Championships. Further, a swimmer with a Champ time in an event cannot swim that event (or the corresponding event in a relay) at MRCs or MACs.
- Zones (14&U only): Zone Times qualify a swimmer aged 14 or younger for the Central Zone Championships. This is a regional championship meet in which Minnesota Swimming combines to compete against other nearby states such as Illinois, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and more. A swimmer with a Zones time in an event can swim that event at State, but cannot swim it at MRCs or MACs.
- Bonus (15&O only): The “Bonus” standard applies only to swimmers aged 15 or older, and is slightly slower than the Champ time. Achieving this standard allows a swimmer who already has a Champ time in a different event to add the Bonus event to their lineup at the State meet. Swimmers with a Bonus time can swim that event at MRCs, but not at MACs.
One last important note for Senior swimmers: The MN time standard categories (specifically Bronze, Silver, and Gold) have nothing to do with qualifying for certain Senior Groups within the Hurricanes Swim Team. We do take these into consideration when determining which group swimmers qualify for, but achieving a Gold time doesn’t necessarily mean you qualify for the Senior Gold group, for example. Let your Lead Coach know if you have questions about this.
USA Swimming National Age Group Motivational Standards
USA Swimming sets their own time standards to provide a motivational progression for swimmers. The progression of standards from slowest to fastest: B, BB, A, AA, AAA, AAAA. Some of these standards are used to qualify swimmers for certain meets.
For example, we often attend meets hosted by local teams that are listed as “A+” meets. This means that meet requires an A Time or faster to attend. Further, the AAA time is the same as the Zones time mentioned above for age group swimmers. Specific qualifying times can be found in the meet info.
Qualifying Meet Time Standards
This category refers to many upper-level meets, such as Speedo Sectionals, NCSA Junior Nationals, Futures Championships, and other meets that set their own time standards specifically for their meets. If we are planning to attend this meet as a team, the standards will typically be posted on our Time Standards page.
If you have any questions about time standards or which meet(s) you may qualify for, please reach out to your Lead Coach.
