Eligibility for Easten Zone Meets -- 2004


Questions have arisen regarding eligibility for Eastern Zone meets in 2004 in light of the relaxed entry requirements (and inclusion of Bonus events) for the 2004 Spring ConocoPhillips National Championship Meet that was held in Orlando, FL -- February 10-14.

The meet announcement for the Eastern Zone SC Championship to be held April 1-3, 2004 (released in August 2003) states the following (consistent with zone policy since the spring of 2001) under meet eligibility.

    ...
  • · Athletes who have competed in the USA Swimming ConocoPhillips National Championships or a USA Olympic Trials class meet in an individual event are not eligible to enter this meet.
  • · Athletes aged 13 and over who have achieved USA Swimming ConocoPhillips National Championship, or USA Olympic Trials class meet qualifying times in an individual event but who have not competed in an individual event at those meets may participate in the zone meet but may not enter that event or compete in a relay for that stroke and distance, nor may their times be used to enter an LSC relay for that stroke and distance.
    • ·
  • Athletes aged 12 and under who have achieved USA Swimming ConocoPhillips National Championship or USA Olympic Trials class meet qualifying times in an individual event but who have not competed in an individual event at any of the above mentioned meets may enter that event in the meet...

In light of this, the following clarifications are being issued.

any athlete who has entered an individual event at any USA Swimming ConocoPhillips National Championship Meet may not participate in either the 2004 SC or LC Eastern Zone Age Group Championship Meets.

any 13 and over athlete who could have participated in an individual event at the Spring 2004 USA Swimming ConocoPhillips National Championship by virtue of having acheived the QT for an individual event prior to fax entry deadline of 1159p Februry 8 may not compete in that event at either the 2004 SC or LC Eastern Zone Age Group Championship Meet nor may they compete in a relay for that stroke and distance, nor may their times be used to enter an LSC relay for that stroke and distance.

any 13 and over athlete who achieves the Summer 2004 USA Swimming ConocoPhillips National Championship may not compete in that event at either the 2004 SC or LC Eastern Zone Age Group Championship Meet nor may they compete in a relay for that stroke and distance, nor may their times be used to enter an LSC relay for that stroke and distance.

Since the Spring 2005 USA Swimming meet will no longer be regarded as a National Championship meet and there will be the return of least one USA Swimming Junior Championship Meet in 2005, the Eastern Zone at our May 2004 meeting in Portland, ME will address how the eligibility for SC and LC Eastern Zone Age Group Championship Meets should be modified for 2005 and beyond.

Note: The above statement was reviewed by the Eastern Zone Directors (Coach and non-coach) and the Zone Technical Chairman.