ALL ABOUT PRELIM-FINALS MEETS

The upcoming Palatine and Indianapolis Meets, along with some of our Championship Meets will be held in Prelim-Finals Format.

In a Prelims-Finals meet, everyone swims in the morning “Preliminaries” and the 8, 16, or 24 fastest swimmers swim again in “Finals” in the evening. Each meet has a different number of swimmers who will return for finals.

A meet that is not Prelims-Finals is called “Timed Finals.”

Rules for Prelim-Finals Meets

At most Prelim-Finals Meets, missing an event will have penalties such as being scratched out of the next event or even the entire meet. Swimmers must Pre-Scratch any event they do not intend to swim. This usually must be done before the meet begins. Note that there are special rules for Relays and Distance events for each meet as well. Please always read each Meet Packet to familiarize yourself with these rules.

Usually the fastest 2 swimmers per event who do NOT make Finals are considered alternates. However, at some meets a large number of scratches may enable any swimmer who competed in Prelims to swim in Finals. Never leave a Prelim session without finding out if you are an alternate or not!!

Usually there is a 30 minute grace period for swimmers to decide to scratch from finals if they qualify. Once this deadline passes, penalties are in effect for failure to show.

Championship Meets

At all Championship Meets, all Wheaton Swimmers are expected to compete in any Finals event for which they qualify.

Palatine & Indy:

  • Palatine : At the Palatine Meet we encourage everyone to participate in Finals who qualifies to get good experience for Championship Meets. However we know that with busy schedules this may not be possible in every instance. If you scratch from finals, you MUST check in with the coaches and follow the meet Scratch procedures. This will allow other swimmers to have the chance to compete.
  • Indianapolis : We will treat the Indy Meet like a championship meet. All Wheaton swimmers who qualify for Finals will be expected to participate in them. Exception to the rule: on Sunday we realize some people may need to leave early to return to Chicago. Please communicate with the coaches if this is the case for your family.

The Following Meets will have at least some Prelim-Final events, except Regionals and Conference:

  • Palatine :
    • Prelim-Finals for 12 &Under.
    • Timed Finals for 13 & Over
  • Indianapolis :
    • Prelims-Finals for 13 &Over.
    • Timed Finals for 12 & Under.
  • Conference & Regionals :
    • Timed Finals (note: Pre-Scratch rules still apply!) for all ages.
  • Age Group State, Senior Champs, Sectionals :
    • Prelims-Finals for all 11 & Over Events except distance events & relays.
    • Timed Finals for 10 & Unders.