There are two basic types of meets that OMSC attends: Dual meets (A or B), and Invitational meets. In a dual meet, we swim against one other team; invitational meets involve all 9 OMPA teams. They are explained in more detail below, followed by a description of various Invitational meets. All meets are shown on the Calendar and listed on the Events tab.
Wednesday meets start at 5:30pm and Saturday meets start at 9:00am. Swimmers should
show up for warm ups 1 hour 10 minutes prior to the meet start time for home meets and 40
minutes prior to start time for away meets.
How Meets Are Scheduled
Each September, the Board, through our OMPA Representatives, tries very hard to put
together a balanced season of A meets for stronger swimmers, B meets for developing
swimmers, and Invitational meets. Our A meets are set for us by the OMPA. We fill in
available dates with B meets; due to scheduling conflicts, we sometimes have to go to
out-of-league teams to get enough B meets. We try to set our out-of-league meets with
teams of similar size and ability. There are out-of-league teams who seek us out for
meets due to our size and strength. For out-of-league meets, we alternate home and away meets.
Line-up Guidelines
The coaches determine the meet line-ups. They try to allow swimmers to swim all
events, realizing they might swim their best strokes more often. A swimmer will usually
be entered in his/her best events. However, other circumstances must be considered,
such as the strengths of all the swimmers involved, the number of pool lanes available
for each event, workout attendance, attitude, and the coaches’ need for an updated time.
Swimmers need to get times and experience in all strokes, and the coaches need to
develop overall team strength.
If you have a question about the events your child is scheduled to swim, ask the
particular coach who prepares that age group’s meet line-up, preferably before the day
of the meet. Just before meets, coaches are very busy and it is difficult for them to
handle a lot of parent questions at that time. (Each coach will be responsible for a
particular age group’s line-ups for the summer, although all the coaches will work with all
the swimmers over the course of the summer.)
Swimmers should arrive for a meet at posted warm-up time. This is very important! The
coaches must make sure everyone is there. Also, the team warm-up is vital for best
performance. If swimmers are not there at least 1/2 hour before the meet, they may be
replaced in their scheduled events.
Shepherds will gather the 8 and Under swimmers together for each event and line them
up in their lanes. Parents can assist by instructing their children to stay in the team area
and letting the shepherds know if they leave.
Older swimmers are responsible for knowing their heats and lanes for each event, for
following the progress of the meet and for being lined up behind their lanes, ready to
swim, when their heat is called.
Heat and lane are shown on the meet programs, emailed to the team before each meet,
as two numbers with a slash between them; the heat number is first, then the lane. For
example: 2 / 3 would mean heat 2, lane 3. Swimmers usually have a different heat/lane
for each event. Generally, the faster swimmers are put in the center lanes, and in earlier
heats, so they are swimming with swimmers of similar ability.
All swimmers are expected to stay until the end of the meet. If swimmers have
completed all of their individual events and are not scheduled for a relay, they should
check with the head coach before leaving. Often a swimmer will be needed on a relay at
the last minute to replace someone who became ill or had to leave suddenly. More than one
How Meets Are Scheduled
Each September, the Board, through our OMPA Representatives, tries very hard to put
together a balanced season of A meets for stronger swimmers, B meets for developing
swimmers, and Invitational meets. Our A meets are set for us by the OMPA. We fill in
available dates with B meets; due to scheduling conflicts, we sometimes have to go to
out-of-league teams to get enough B meets. We try to set our out-of-league meets with
teams of similar size and ability. There are out-of-league teams who seek us out for
meets due to our size and strength. For out-of-league meets, we alternate home and away meets.
Line-up Guidelines
The coaches determine the meet line-ups. They try to allow swimmers to swim all
events, realizing they might swim their best strokes more often. A swimmer will usually
be entered in his/her best events. However, other circumstances must be considered,
such as the strengths of all the swimmers involved, the number of pool lanes available
for each event, workout attendance, attitude, and the coaches’ need for an updated time.
Swimmers need to get times and experience in all strokes, and the coaches need to
develop overall team strength.
If you have a question about the events your child is scheduled to swim, ask the
particular coach who prepares that age group’s meet line-up, preferably before the day
of the meet. Just before meets, coaches are very busy and it is difficult for them to
handle a lot of parent questions at that time. (Each coach will be responsible for a
particular age group’s line-ups for the summer, although all the coaches will work with all
the swimmers over the course of the summer.)
Swimmers should arrive for a meet at posted warm-up time. This is very important! The
coaches must make sure everyone is there. Also, the team warm-up is vital for best
performance. If swimmers are not there at least 1/2 hour before the meet, they may be
replaced in their scheduled events.
Shepherds will gather the 8 and Under swimmers together for each event and line them
up in their lanes. Parents can assist by instructing their children to stay in the team area
and letting the shepherds know if they leave.
Older swimmers are responsible for knowing their heats and lanes for each event, for
following the progress of the meet and for being lined up behind their lanes, ready to
swim, when their heat is called.
Heat and lane are shown on the meet programs, emailed to the team before each meet,
as two numbers with a slash between them; the heat number is first, then the lane. For
example: 2 / 3 would mean heat 2, lane 3. Swimmers usually have a different heat/lane
for each event. Generally, the faster swimmers are put in the center lanes, and in earlier
heats, so they are swimming with swimmers of similar ability.
All swimmers are expected to stay until the end of the meet. If swimmers have
completed all of their individual events and are not scheduled for a relay, they should
check with the head coach before leaving. Often a swimmer will be needed on a relay at
the last minute to replace someone who became ill or had to leave suddenly. More than one
relay has been cancelled, much to the disappointment of the other three swimmers, because
someone left the meet without checking with the Head Coach first!
Comfort and Survival
Since meets can be quite large, it is critical that swimmers stay in the team areas. Since
the locales of many of the Invitational meets do not have much shade, families may wish
to bring umbrellas and tents. In addition to the equipment mentioned under “Team Apparel & Equipment,”
you may want to bring some simple, inexpensive games (like cards or travel games) to
occupy swimmers between their events, and a blanket or sleeping bag to sit on. Finally,
parental comfort is often enhanced by a lawn chair or two.
Most meets have a snack bar, but the quality and selection at away meets can be quite
variable, so it is advisable to bring nutritious snacks and plenty of beverages for your
swimmers and yourself. (Many parents bring fruit or dry cereal for swimmers’ snacks.)
However, please remember that no alcohol is allowed at any swim meet. The snack bar
at OMSC home meets is an important fund-raiser for the team. Much effort is made
to ensure a large selection of healthy, satisfying items for swimmers and their families.
Your patronage is appreciated!
Strokes
The strokes swum at most meets are freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly,
individual medley, and two relays: medley relay and freestyle relay. (These events are
usually referred to as “free,” “breast,” “back,” “fly,” “IM,” “medley relay,” and “free relay.”)
In the free, breast, back and fly events, swimmers 8 and younger swim 25 yards - one
lap, swimmers 9 and older swim 50 yards - two laps; sometimes 15-18s have the option
of swimming 100 yards in A meets, to prepare for the distance that is swum at the
County meet by their age group. The individual medley event is 100 yards - one lap each
of fly, back, breast and free, but is not swum by 6 and unders.
Four swimmers make up a relay team. In the freestyle relay, all swimmers swim
freestyle, but in the medley relay, each swimmer swims a different stroke in this order:
back, breast, fly, free. Except for occasional 6 and Under relay events, there are
separate girls and boys relays for each age group. Additional information on the strokes
can be found on the OMPA website (www.OMPAswim.com).
Stroke and Turn Judges
Stroke and Turn judges are usually present at all A meets and most Invitationals, and at
some B meets. Their emphasis is to instruct, not punish. The OMPA rules provide for
leniency (warnings in lieu of disqualifications) for 8 & Under swimmers early in the
season, unless an illegal move gives them a material advantage over their competitors.
However, Stroke and Turn judging is very strict at the OMPA meet, so it is important that
swimmers learn early in the season how to do starts, strokes, and turns legally.
Comfort and Survival
Since meets can be quite large, it is critical that swimmers stay in the team areas. Since
the locales of many of the Invitational meets do not have much shade, families may wish
to bring umbrellas and tents. In addition to the equipment mentioned under “Team Apparel & Equipment,”
you may want to bring some simple, inexpensive games (like cards or travel games) to
occupy swimmers between their events, and a blanket or sleeping bag to sit on. Finally,
parental comfort is often enhanced by a lawn chair or two.
Most meets have a snack bar, but the quality and selection at away meets can be quite
variable, so it is advisable to bring nutritious snacks and plenty of beverages for your
swimmers and yourself. (Many parents bring fruit or dry cereal for swimmers’ snacks.)
However, please remember that no alcohol is allowed at any swim meet. The snack bar
at OMSC home meets is an important fund-raiser for the team. Much effort is made
to ensure a large selection of healthy, satisfying items for swimmers and their families.
Your patronage is appreciated!
Strokes
The strokes swum at most meets are freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly,
individual medley, and two relays: medley relay and freestyle relay. (These events are
usually referred to as “free,” “breast,” “back,” “fly,” “IM,” “medley relay,” and “free relay.”)
In the free, breast, back and fly events, swimmers 8 and younger swim 25 yards - one
lap, swimmers 9 and older swim 50 yards - two laps; sometimes 15-18s have the option
of swimming 100 yards in A meets, to prepare for the distance that is swum at the
County meet by their age group. The individual medley event is 100 yards - one lap each
of fly, back, breast and free, but is not swum by 6 and unders.
Four swimmers make up a relay team. In the freestyle relay, all swimmers swim
freestyle, but in the medley relay, each swimmer swims a different stroke in this order:
back, breast, fly, free. Except for occasional 6 and Under relay events, there are
separate girls and boys relays for each age group. Additional information on the strokes
can be found on the OMPA website (www.OMPAswim.com).
Stroke and Turn Judges
Stroke and Turn judges are usually present at all A meets and most Invitationals, and at
some B meets. Their emphasis is to instruct, not punish. The OMPA rules provide for
leniency (warnings in lieu of disqualifications) for 8 & Under swimmers early in the
season, unless an illegal move gives them a material advantage over their competitors.
However, Stroke and Turn judging is very strict at the OMPA meet, so it is important that
swimmers learn early in the season how to do starts, strokes, and turns legally.
Dual Meets
Dual meets are swum against one other OMPA (Orinda-Moraga Pools Association)
league team or an out-of-league team. Swimming against teams from outside the OMPA
provide our swimmers additional opportunities to hone their skills against top-notch
competition. OMPA dual meets are usually held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Wednesday
Dual meets are swum against one other OMPA (Orinda-Moraga Pools Association)
league team or an out-of-league team. Swimming against teams from outside the OMPA
provide our swimmers additional opportunities to hone their skills against top-notch
competition. OMPA dual meets are usually held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Wednesday
meets start at 5:30pm and Saturday meets start at 9:00am. Swimmers should show up for
warm ups 1 hour 10minutes prior to the meet start time for home meets and 40 minutes prior to start
time for away meets. A
dual meet usually lasts about 2-3 hours.
In an OMPA dual meet, a swimmer is allowed to swim three individual events and two
relay events. Swimmers in the 6 and Under age group may only swim two individual
events and two relays. (Six and Unders do not swim individual medley.)
The normal order of events for a dual meet are medley relay, individual medley,
freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly and freestyle relay. Each event is separated
by age groups, which swim in the following order: 6 & Under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14,
and 15-18, with the girls swimming first at each age level.
Having A and B meets provide the opportunity to meet the competitive needs of
swimmers of all abilities. Most A meets are limited to one heat per age group per event,
which means three swimmers for that event. (For example, from the 6 and Under age
group, there would be three girls swimming freestyle and three boys.)
A Meets
The three fastest swimmers in each stroke will participate in an A meet. The three
fastest swimmers in a stroke in an age group are considered A swimmers for that stroke
and may not compete in a B meet in that stroke. However, because swimmers are
limited in the number of events they may swim in a meet, and also because swimmers
may sign out of a meet, swimmers may swim in an A meet even if they do not have one
of the three fastest times. These “move up” swimmers are still permitted to swim in a B
meet. This means that they are simply swimming for time and are not eligible for ribbons.
There is one medley relay team and one freestyle relay team per age group at A meets.
Dual A meets are scored to determine the winning team. Relays receive seven points for
first place and three points for second place. Individual strokes, including the IM
(Individual Medley) are scored five points for first place, three points for second and one
point for third. Ribbons are usually awarded to first place in each relay event and first
through third place in each individual event.
A meets are usually shorter than B meets, since only one heat is swum in each event.
The IM is usually not swum at B meets.
B Meets
B meets provide the opportunity for all swimmers to compete. If a swimmer did not swim
in an A meet that week, he will be scheduled for a B meet. Some swimmers will swim in
both. For example, if a swimmer has two A strokes and three B strokes, he may swim in
both meets to gain experience in all the strokes. B meets are not scored, and are not
limited to one heat. An effort is made to schedule as many heats as necessary to
accommodate all of the swimmers, although under OMPA rules, B meets can be limited
to three heats per age group (three heats for girls, three heats for boys). As a result,
especially when swimming against other large teams, these meets can be long.
Individual Medley (IM) is not swum at B meets. There can be more than one relay team
per age group at B meets.
Ribbons are awarded as follows: A/B meets and B meets first through eighth place
receive ribbon awards for individual events and first and second place relay teams
receive awards. Please note this does not mean first through eighth place for each heat
of an event; the times from all the heats of an event are ranked fastest to slowest, with
ribbons going to first through eighth place. A meets first through third place receive
ribbons for individual events and first place ribbons are given to the relay participants.
Invitational Meets
An Invitational is a special meet hosted by a swim team, usually as a fund-raiser, to
which several teams are invited. Eligibility varies with each meet. (See below.) Entry
fees are charged per individual or relay event entered. OMSC pays these
fees out of our budget; a single invitational meet can cost several hundred dollars in
entry fees. As stated previously, it is very important for any swimmer who will be
attending to sign into the binder poolside at least three to four weeks in advance of the
meet date. The deadline for submitting entries and fees for invitationals is usually three
weeks before the meet. Once entries and fees are submitted, there are no refunds.
Swimmers should check the line-ups posted at the pool or with the coaches regarding
their participation in each Invitational. The line-ups are posted a couple of days before
the submission deadline so swimmers can see what they will be entered in. (This is
another good reason for parents to come into the pool area regularly to check bulletin
boards.) If you have a question about what your child is swimming, ask before the line-
ups are submitted. Once submitted, there can be no changes in what events your child
will swim.
Following are brief descriptions of the Invitational meets in which OMSC participates:
Moraga Valley Bottoms Up Invitational
Moraga Valley Pool
This meet is only for those swimmers who are at the bottom of their age group this year,
i.e., those swimmers who are 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 on June 15. Medals or ribbons are
awarded to the top 10 individual swimmers and top three relays in each age group. All
relays are “mixed,” with two girls and two boys swimming each. There is also a parents’
relay. This is an all-day meet.
Sleepy Hollow B Invitational
Sleepy Hollow Swim and Tennis Club
This meet is for B swimmers who are selected by having best times slower than cut-off
time set by Sleepy Hollow for the meet. Be sure to check the meet sheets that will be
posted at the pool. Medals or ribbons will be awarded to the top six swimmers and the
top three relays in each event. High-point trophies will be awarded to one boy and one
girl in each age group. This can be a very long meet; be prepared to spend a full day.
However, this meet can be very rewarding for the swimmers who attend.
Meadow Mini Meet
Meadow Swim and Tennis Club
This very important meet is only for swimmers ages 8 and under. Swimmers will swim in
groups according to their age the date of the meet, and they will only swim against
swimmers their own age, i.e., 7-year-old girls will be competing only against other 7-
year-old girls. However, swimmers not yet 5 years old will compete in the 5 and Under
category. Five and 6 year olds compete in the morning, and 7 and 8 year olds start when
the younger swimmers are finished, but not before noon. Awards will include heat winner
ribbons; medals or ribbons to the top eight individual swimmers; rosette ribbons to the
top three relays in each event; and team trophies to the top three scoring teams.
Friday/Saturday/Sunday OMPA Championship
Soda Center
This is the “biggie” - the meet you work towards all summer! This will be the last meet of
the swim season, except for those swimmers who qualify to swim in the County meet. All
swimmers participate. For most swimmers, this meet is the highlight of the entire
season. This is the meet the coaches train you for all season, and swimmers often swim
their lifetime best times at this meet.
The meet spans two days. Each day, preliminary heats are run in the morning. The top
eight swimmers in each event qualify for the finals and swimmers placing 9th through
16th qualify for the consolation finals.
The finals are swum in the afternoon. Relay events are also swum in the afternoon, with
one relay team for each age group; there are no preliminary/qualifying heats for relays.
Medals are awarded to all swimmers in the finals, rosette ribbons to all consolation
finalists, and heat winner ribbons are awarded in the morning preliminaries. At the end of
the meet, high-point trophies are awarded to one girl and one boy in each age group, as
well as team trophies.
This meet is attended by virtually all Orinda-Moraga recreational swimmers and their
families. It receives significant coverage in the community newspapers.
Saturday/Sunday Contra Costa County Championship
In order to swim in an individual event in this prestigious meet, swimmers’ best times
must meet or be faster than the qualifying times listed under “goal times” in this
handbook. They will then find themselves competing with the top recreational swimmers
from all over Contra Costa County. MSC can also enter two medley and freestyle relays
for each age group. (Relays swim preliminary heats.) Swimmers do not have to have
county times to be selected for a relay. Once again, check the boards or consult with the
coaches before assuming your child will not be needed for County! Qualifying and
swimming in this meet is definitely a challenge and an honor!
In an OMPA dual meet, a swimmer is allowed to swim three individual events and two
relay events. Swimmers in the 6 and Under age group may only swim two individual
events and two relays. (Six and Unders do not swim individual medley.)
The normal order of events for a dual meet are medley relay, individual medley,
freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly and freestyle relay. Each event is separated
by age groups, which swim in the following order: 6 & Under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14,
and 15-18, with the girls swimming first at each age level.
Having A and B meets provide the opportunity to meet the competitive needs of
swimmers of all abilities. Most A meets are limited to one heat per age group per event,
which means three swimmers for that event. (For example, from the 6 and Under age
group, there would be three girls swimming freestyle and three boys.)
A Meets
The three fastest swimmers in each stroke will participate in an A meet. The three
fastest swimmers in a stroke in an age group are considered A swimmers for that stroke
and may not compete in a B meet in that stroke. However, because swimmers are
limited in the number of events they may swim in a meet, and also because swimmers
may sign out of a meet, swimmers may swim in an A meet even if they do not have one
of the three fastest times. These “move up” swimmers are still permitted to swim in a B
meet. This means that they are simply swimming for time and are not eligible for ribbons.
There is one medley relay team and one freestyle relay team per age group at A meets.
Dual A meets are scored to determine the winning team. Relays receive seven points for
first place and three points for second place. Individual strokes, including the IM
(Individual Medley) are scored five points for first place, three points for second and one
point for third. Ribbons are usually awarded to first place in each relay event and first
through third place in each individual event.
A meets are usually shorter than B meets, since only one heat is swum in each event.
The IM is usually not swum at B meets.
B Meets
B meets provide the opportunity for all swimmers to compete. If a swimmer did not swim
in an A meet that week, he will be scheduled for a B meet. Some swimmers will swim in
both. For example, if a swimmer has two A strokes and three B strokes, he may swim in
both meets to gain experience in all the strokes. B meets are not scored, and are not
limited to one heat. An effort is made to schedule as many heats as necessary to
accommodate all of the swimmers, although under OMPA rules, B meets can be limited
to three heats per age group (three heats for girls, three heats for boys). As a result,
especially when swimming against other large teams, these meets can be long.
Individual Medley (IM) is not swum at B meets. There can be more than one relay team
per age group at B meets.
Ribbons are awarded as follows: A/B meets and B meets first through eighth place
receive ribbon awards for individual events and first and second place relay teams
receive awards. Please note this does not mean first through eighth place for each heat
of an event; the times from all the heats of an event are ranked fastest to slowest, with
ribbons going to first through eighth place. A meets first through third place receive
ribbons for individual events and first place ribbons are given to the relay participants.
Invitational Meets
An Invitational is a special meet hosted by a swim team, usually as a fund-raiser, to
which several teams are invited. Eligibility varies with each meet. (See below.) Entry
fees are charged per individual or relay event entered. OMSC pays these
fees out of our budget; a single invitational meet can cost several hundred dollars in
entry fees. As stated previously, it is very important for any swimmer who will be
attending to sign into the binder poolside at least three to four weeks in advance of the
meet date. The deadline for submitting entries and fees for invitationals is usually three
weeks before the meet. Once entries and fees are submitted, there are no refunds.
Swimmers should check the line-ups posted at the pool or with the coaches regarding
their participation in each Invitational. The line-ups are posted a couple of days before
the submission deadline so swimmers can see what they will be entered in. (This is
another good reason for parents to come into the pool area regularly to check bulletin
boards.) If you have a question about what your child is swimming, ask before the line-
ups are submitted. Once submitted, there can be no changes in what events your child
will swim.
Following are brief descriptions of the Invitational meets in which OMSC participates:
Moraga Valley Bottoms Up Invitational
Moraga Valley Pool
This meet is only for those swimmers who are at the bottom of their age group this year,
i.e., those swimmers who are 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 on June 15. Medals or ribbons are
awarded to the top 10 individual swimmers and top three relays in each age group. All
relays are “mixed,” with two girls and two boys swimming each. There is also a parents’
relay. This is an all-day meet.
Sleepy Hollow B Invitational
Sleepy Hollow Swim and Tennis Club
This meet is for B swimmers who are selected by having best times slower than cut-off
time set by Sleepy Hollow for the meet. Be sure to check the meet sheets that will be
posted at the pool. Medals or ribbons will be awarded to the top six swimmers and the
top three relays in each event. High-point trophies will be awarded to one boy and one
girl in each age group. This can be a very long meet; be prepared to spend a full day.
However, this meet can be very rewarding for the swimmers who attend.
Meadow Mini Meet
Meadow Swim and Tennis Club
This very important meet is only for swimmers ages 8 and under. Swimmers will swim in
groups according to their age the date of the meet, and they will only swim against
swimmers their own age, i.e., 7-year-old girls will be competing only against other 7-
year-old girls. However, swimmers not yet 5 years old will compete in the 5 and Under
category. Five and 6 year olds compete in the morning, and 7 and 8 year olds start when
the younger swimmers are finished, but not before noon. Awards will include heat winner
ribbons; medals or ribbons to the top eight individual swimmers; rosette ribbons to the
top three relays in each event; and team trophies to the top three scoring teams.
Friday/Saturday/Sunday OMPA Championship
Soda Center
This is the “biggie” - the meet you work towards all summer! This will be the last meet of
the swim season, except for those swimmers who qualify to swim in the County meet. All
swimmers participate. For most swimmers, this meet is the highlight of the entire
season. This is the meet the coaches train you for all season, and swimmers often swim
their lifetime best times at this meet.
The meet spans two days. Each day, preliminary heats are run in the morning. The top
eight swimmers in each event qualify for the finals and swimmers placing 9th through
16th qualify for the consolation finals.
The finals are swum in the afternoon. Relay events are also swum in the afternoon, with
one relay team for each age group; there are no preliminary/qualifying heats for relays.
Medals are awarded to all swimmers in the finals, rosette ribbons to all consolation
finalists, and heat winner ribbons are awarded in the morning preliminaries. At the end of
the meet, high-point trophies are awarded to one girl and one boy in each age group, as
well as team trophies.
This meet is attended by virtually all Orinda-Moraga recreational swimmers and their
families. It receives significant coverage in the community newspapers.
Saturday/Sunday Contra Costa County Championship
In order to swim in an individual event in this prestigious meet, swimmers’ best times
must meet or be faster than the qualifying times listed under “goal times” in this
handbook. They will then find themselves competing with the top recreational swimmers
from all over Contra Costa County. MSC can also enter two medley and freestyle relays
for each age group. (Relays swim preliminary heats.) Swimmers do not have to have
county times to be selected for a relay. Once again, check the boards or consult with the
coaches before assuming your child will not be needed for County! Qualifying and
swimming in this meet is definitely a challenge and an honor!
