LMSC Records

Michigan Masters LMSC Records:

All American Listings for the Michigan LMSC:

How Do I Make Sure My Record Counts?

by USMS Rules Committe 1/6/18

Swimmers often ask: “What do I need to do to make sure my record (or potential top 10 swim) counts?” There are several things for which swimmers can look to ensure that their swims count for records and top 10.

Meet Directors and LMSC Officers should be aware of these requirements and provide the necessary resources to recognize official times. However, some meets may require action by the swimmer, so it is good to be aware of the rules and read the information in the meet announcement carefully.

Is the meet sanctioned or recognized by United States Masters Swimming (USMS)?

Sanctioned meets are required to follow all of the rules of competition which should ensure times may be used for all official purposes. Times from sanctioned meets are generally submitted by the LMSC for consideration without any further action required by the swimmer, but if you have questions on the status of a record application, you can follow up with your LMSC Top 10 recorder.

• The meet announcement must have a statement that says “sanctioned by (LMSC name) for USMS, Inc.”
• All participants in USMS sanctioned meets must be members of USMS, so the meet entry process should include verification of membership and a liability release.
• Times achieved at FINA World Masters Championships will automatically submitted for USMS record and top 10 consideration.

Recognized meets may also be used to achieve USMS records and top 10 rankings. These are usually meets conducted by other organizations, but the host has agreed to conduct the meet under USMS rules so the times may be used for official purposes. A USMS observer must be assigned to the recognized meet by the LMSC. The USMS observer must submit a written report to the LMSC verifying whether the relevant USMS rules were followed. The meet announcement should state that the meet is recognized by USMS and swimmers could ask the meet director if these conditions have been satisfied.

Times from recognized meets are not automatically submitted for consideration, so it is the swimmer’s responsibility to submit the times and documentation to the appropriate LMSC Top 10 recorder. This may include the need to submit documentation on the pool measurement (see below).

A few additional notes on recognized meets:

• USA Swimming sanctioned meets are automatically recognized without the need for a formal application for recognition. USMS members who compete in a USA Swimming meet, as a USA Swimming athlete, may submit their times for consideration, but proper documentation (including pool measurement verification for USMS records) is required.
• FINA will not accept times from recognized meets for world record or world top 10 consideration.
• Times achieved by USMS members at events sanctioned by a FINA member federation (i.e., a masters meet in another country) may be submitted without a formal application for recognition as long as the USMS swimmer registers for the meet as a USMS member.
• Times achieved at FINA World Masters Championships will automatically submitted for USMS record and top 10 consideration.

Is the timing system sufficient to allow for records and top 10?

• World and USMS records now require automatic timing (automatic start and touchpad finish). Without touchpads, it is not possible to achieve a record.
• • In the event of a touchpad malfunction, records may also be achieved using a semi-automatic backup system with three, two, or one button(s).
  • If the touchpad and buttons both fail, a single watch may be used to establish a top 10 time, but watches may not be used to establish records.
  • A minimum of two timers is advised in the event that one of the buttons also malfunctions.
• If touchpads are not in use, a semiautomatic system (buttons) or watches may still be used to establish USMS top 10 times, but a minimum of two valid times are required.
• If touchpads are in use and there are at least two timers assigned to each lane, operating buttons and watches, all swims should count for records and top 10 barring complete failures of all timing systems (extremely rare). If touchpads are not in use and there are at least two timers per lane, all swims should count for top 10 consideration.

Have the pool measurement rules been satisfied?

• Sanctioned meets must have a statement in the meet announcement that indicates whether the pool measurement is on file with USMS and is in compliance with USMS rules, so check for this statement. For recognized meets, swimmers may need to check with the meet director if this information is not provided.
• If a bulkhead is in use, the bulkhead placement must be confirmed with a measurement before and after each session. For recognized meets, swimmers may need to check with the meet director to ensure that this requirement is met and to obtain a copy of the measurement to submit to your LMSC Top 10 recorder.

Are there enough officials?

• There should be a minimum of two deck officials for the duration of the meet. There must be a meet referee, a starter, and two stroke and turn officials, but the referee and starter may perform the duties of a stroke and turn judge.
• Officials must be certified by an approved certifying body (USMS, USA Swimming, NCAA, or High School Federation). The LMSC should verify that these requirements are met, but swimmers could also check with the meet director or meet referee at recognized meets.

Is the documentation sufficient to accompany the record application?

• Record applications must include a copy of the official meet results, timing system printout, and a copy of the heat sheet. A copy of the swimmer’s birth certificate must accompany the record application or be on file with USMS.
• Formal record applications are not required for swims at USMS National Championships or FINA World Championships.

If I swim an event and miss the record, can I ask to re-swim the event later in the meet in another attempt to break the record?

• No, except for postponement or a foul, there are no provisions for re-swimming a race. Time trials may only be conducted at short course yard (SCY) meets, but additional time trials or additional events may not be added to meet once the order of events is published in the meet announcement.

Can I ask my LMSC to sanction another meet for me to attempt a record?

• An LMSC can sanction a meet at their discretion pursuant to LMSC policies, but any event offered at a sanctioned meet must be offered to all age groups and both genders. The order of events must be published in the meet announcement at least one week prior to the entry deadline.

Can my relay leadoff or initial split be submitted for a record application or top 10 consideration?

• A relay leadoff split may be submitted provided automatic timing is used (touchpads) and the second swimmer does not start in the water.
• A leadoff split may be submitted provided automatic timing is used and a written split request is submitted prior to the event (for backstroke events) or prior to the end of the meet (all other events).
• For USMS national championship meets, leadoff and initial splits will automatically be submitted for consideration without the need for a written request (except for backstroke events).