Swim Meets are a critical part of the SMAC experience. All athletes are either required or encouraged, depending on the level, to attend and compete at swim meets. They are our “games” and the place for team members to see their hard work pay off, develop a competitive mindset, and enjoy the spirit and energy that comes with being part of a team. Bronze athletes will have the ability to compete in regional meets about once a quarter. Elite, Gold, and Silver athletes compete approximately once per month at various locations. Families should plan to keep meet weekends free. 

Lodging: MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE SO THEY ARE ON YOUR CALENDAR!

Meet Entry Process: Upon registration for SMAC, all Elite, Gold, and Silver athletes are entered in each meet appropriate for their designated practice group. Athletes on SMAC are expected to attend meets. Should an athlete need to withdraw from a swim meet, they must do so by the meet deadline.

• The meet attend/decline/withdrawal deadlines are specific for each meet and are posted on SMAC’s website
• Athletes may withdraw from the meet in whole or in part. If you can only attend one day of a meet, please make sure to include that in the Notes Section of a specific event before the deadline.
• Athletes that are entered in a meet are expected to attend the meet. Athletes that withdraw from a meet AFTER the withdrawal deadline will be billed for the meet as if they were participating. (SMAC is still charged for your swimmer to be entered into a meet whether or not your swimmer swims.)
• Use the Team Website to confirm meet details or withdraw your athlete before the deadline.
• Please keep swim meet weekends free.
• Make sure to read the meet announcements on the SMAC Event page of the website.
• Specific event information will be sent out as soon as it is received from the meet host, typically two to three weeks leading up to the meet via email. Specific event information includes arrival time, warm up lane assignments, heat sheets, specific facility rules, and other pertinent information

Specific Event Registration: Coaches will work with your athlete and enter them in appropriate events for competition. If there is a specific event(s) that a swimmer wants to swim, please write that in the notes section for that meet and save the changes. Parents should confirm the appropriate day/sessions that their family will be attending prior to the deadline. Please note that the head coach has final discretion over all swimmer entries. 

Preparation: All athletes attending a meet must participate in practices the week leading up to the meet. Parents should not have their athletes “rest” by taking days off leading up to a meet. These practices are vital in the preparation process for SMAC athletes and built into the training plan.

Meet Conduct: Athletes entered in a meet after the registration deadline are expected to participate at the meet in all events in which they are entered.

• In the event of an injury, illness, or family emergency that requires an early departure, parents should communicate with a coach the reason for departure.
• Athletes are required to wear SMAC team apparel at meets. This includes team shirts, caps, and a black bathing suit.
• If an emergency occurs and your athlete is not able to attend a session, please contact your coach immediately via text or phone call.

Championship Meets and Qualifying Time Standard Meets. Athletes are to participate in the highest level meet for which they qualify. Our State Championship Meets are NC Age Group Champs, NC Senior Champs. We also attend many national level meets depending on the number of qualifiers. National level meets include Sectionals, ISCA Championships, Futures, Winter Juniors, Summer Juniors, and many others depending on the qualifying criteria. 

• 14 and Under athletes must have at least 1 qualifying NC State Championship Time Standards cut and Coach Dan’s approval to participate in NC State Championships.
• Prelims/Finals - athletes that qualify for finals are expected to participate in finals. Please communicate with the coach on deck if there is an issue for your swimmer to swim in finals.
• Senior athletes will work with their coach to determine the appropriate end of season championship meet schedule.

Travel:

• Information about travel will be issued along with specific meet information. For some meets SMAC may secure a discounted price for a block of reserved rooms. However, it will be up to each family individually to book their hotel rooms.
• SMAC coaches do not book hotel, travel, airfare, or book other travel accommodations for members. If you need help with anything regarding this, please join our SMAC Parent Facebook Group!