Western Conference Splash (WCS)
WCS is a series of intra-squad swim meets for beginning to intermediate swimmers ages 4 and older. The series consists of several swim meets and a season-end championship meet. All WCS meets take place at the Marguerite Swim Complex and are held once a month on Saturday afternoons. There are two WCS meet seasons offered each year: Winter (October - March) and Summer (May - August).
What is the philosophy behind WCS?
WCS is an introduction to United States Swimming competitions at our home pool. We want swimmers to be able to put their time in practice into action in a competitive and official environment while in the familiar setting of our home pool. With each meet, the swimmer will gain confidence and self-esteem through improvements made in competition.
What are the different types of WCS meets?
There will be two types of WCS meets during the
2005-2006: unsanctioned meets and sanctioned meets. Unsanctioned meets are practice meets and awards will be given to
all participants. Sanctioned
meets are those meets where the rules of United States Swimming (USS) are
strictly followed. At sanctioned meets, when a swimmer does not execute a
stroke 'legally', the swimmer will be disqualified and will not receive an
award for that race. Times at
sanctioned meets are official and can be used at future USS meets - unless the
race resulted in a disqualification.
My swimmer has recently started on the team. Is he/she ready for a WCS meet?
Absolutely! For a swimmer's first meet, it is best to start off with just the freestyle and backstroke events since most swimmers are the most familiar with these strokes.
Who is eligible to participate in WCS?
Swimmers with 'A' times or faster in an event will not be permitted to participate in those races. Swimmers must be USS registered and be a member of the Mission Viejo Nadadores Swim team. Swimmers may be from either the Novice groups or the age groups, including the High School Division.
Is every swimmer required to participate in WCS?
Participation in meets is not required although it is highly recommended that everyone participates in at least one. A swimmer must have participated in at least one meet in order to participate in the championship meet in March. If a swimmer participates in at least one meet during the season, they qualify for a trophy at our annual awards banquet.
How do you sign-up for a WCS meet?
About one month before a meet is to take place, the meet form and entry form will be available on our website under Meet Schedule. Fill out the entry form and turn it into the office along with your payment by the specified due date. Late entries and phone/fax entries will not be accepted, and the swimmer will be unable to participate in the meet.
How do the swimmers know which events they should swim at WCS?
Initially, parents will sign-up their child’s events when they turn in the entry form. It is best to talk with their coach regarding which events the coach would like the swimmer to swim. The week of the meet, all the swimmers' events will be in a binder outside the swim office. It will also be posted the day of the meet.
How many events can my child swim at WCS?
Normally, there is a maximum of three events a swimmer may swim at one meet unless otherwise stated in the meet form. It is perfectly fine for swimmers to compete in one or two events.
For regular meets, there is a $5.00 surcharge per swimmer along with a $2.50 charge per events. For championship meets, the surcharge is $6.00 and it is $3.00 per event. Please pay with a check made out to MVNF with the swimmer’s name and USS number written in the memo. Please be advised that a separate check is required for each child. Refunds will not be given for any reason.
Are there awards at WCS meets?
Events are awarded based upon age groups. At unsanctioned meets, ribbons will be given to all participants for each of the events they swim. At sanctioned meets, ribbons will be given for those swimmers who execute the strokes properly. At the championship meets, medals will be given for individual races to those swimmers who execute the strokes properly.
What time do WCS meets start and how long do they last?
Swimmers and parents should arrive at the pool no later than 11:30am allowing ample time for check-in and warm-ups. WCS meets have a scheduled start time of 1:00pm. WCS meets generally last two to three hours.
What do we do when we arrive at a WCS meet?
Upon arrival, the first thing a swimmer should do is check-in at the check-in table so we know the swimmer is there. The child will then stretch and warm-up with his/her coach before the events start.
What do we need to bring to a WCS meet?
Swimmers are required to have a team suit and cap in order to participate in the meet. Swimmer should also bring a few towels along with water and healthy snacks. Swimmers will receive a WCS T-shirt at the first meet they attend and it should be worn as a symbol of team spirit. For a list of other suggested items to bring to meets, click here.
Who runs the WCS meets and are parents required to work?
WCS meets are run entirely by parents. All parents are required to work a job a every meet (regardless of their service hours accumulated). For each meet worked, parents will receive the appropriate credit towards their required Service Hours in accordance with MVN's Volunteer Policy (or Novice Swimmers Volunteer Policy applicable to families with 'Novice only' swimmers). You must be present the entire shift to receive credit for your Service Hours.
How will I know which job I need to work at a WCS meet?
For unsanctioned meets, parents will be assigned their jobs by the WCS meet director. For sanctioned meets, there will be a sign-up sheet for jobs in a binder in front of the office about two weeks prior to the meet.
What if I am assigned a job at a WCS meet that I cannot work?
It is then your responsibility to find someone to switch jobs with you or a person who would be willing to take your shift. If a parent, for any reason, does not work at a meet, the child is ineligible to participate in that meet.