NVSL All Stars - Is it worth going if you are 1st Alternate?

[Anonymous]

My DD got the patch earlier in the week from the reps, still went to the meet, didn't swim, got a participant ribbon that was the size of the other ribbons, and is in the picture afterwards.

She got to do all the fun team stuff that week and there were no regrets. She was 11

[Anonymous]

Yes, go! Making All Stars (even as an alternate) is a big honor. Even if you already got the patch, your DC will be able to take a picture with all of the swimmers who qualified and will get a rosette ribbon. It’s quite the experience!

[Anonymous]

Two swam today so far— I hope one was yours! (though sorry for the kids who missed out on swimming)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two swam today so far— I hope one was yours! (though sorry for the kids who missed out on swimming)

I am sad to think any alternates went in for a false start… but I suppose that’s how this happens sometimes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two swam today so far— I hope one was yours! (though sorry for the kids who missed out on swimming)

I am sad to think any alternates went in for a false start… but I suppose that’s how this happens sometimes.

Is that what happened?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two swam today so far— I hope one was yours! (though sorry for the kids who missed out on swimming)

I am sad to think any alternates went in for a false start… but I suppose that’s how this happens sometimes.

Is that what happened?

It looks like that happened for 8U girls There is a DQ and the alternate swam. I wasn't there, but so hard if that is what happened

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two swam today so far— I hope one was yours! (though sorry for the kids who missed out on swimming)

I am sad to think any alternates went in for a false start… but I suppose that’s how this happens sometimes.

Is that what happened?

happened in 8u boys free on the first heat and 8u boys breast in the second heat.

[Anonymous]

Bumping this. So the kids who are alternates just stand there and watch the others swim? But then they go up for the photo and get a ribbon, including second alternate? Just trying to figure out how it works for alternates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this. So the kids who are alternates just stand there and watch the others swim? But then they go up for the photo and get a ribbon, including second alternate? Just trying to figure out how it works for alternates.

Correct. They report to clerk and then will be escorted to the start. They stand (or sit) next to the starter while the heats compete - if there is a last minute scratch or a false start that results in an open lane, they’re in. Definitely go and if not, officially scratch so that someone else can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this. So the kids who are alternates just stand there and watch the others swim? But then they go up for the photo and get a ribbon, including second alternate? Just trying to figure out how it works for alternates.

Correct. They report to clerk and then will be escorted to the start. They stand (or sit) next to the starter while the heats compete - if there is a last minute scratch or a false start that results in an open lane, they’re in. Definitely go and if not, officially scratch so that someone else can.

Yes, this. I had a first alternate in a recent year. We showed up with everyone else, kid participated in warm-ups, went through clerk of course, and stood on deck next to the starter for all heats. Didn't get to swim.

It's emotionally a tough place to be - obviously my kid really wanted to swim, but also did not want anyone to false start and get pulled out. Felt conflicted about standing in the all stars group photo after not swimming, but did stand in it after encouragement from our coach and the other swimmers. Now wears the all stars t-shirt with pride . It's an honor to make the cut even if you don't actually swim in the meet.

And they really do need a first alternate on deck, just in case ... so if you can't go, please do let them know so that the next in line can be there!

[Anonymous]

About 6 years ago our 8&U alernate swam - literally pulled from the side of the deck into place when another swimmer just didn't show up. Go!

[Anonymous]

Why have this on-deck alternate ready to go for All-Stars and not Divisionals or other events?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The other way a swimmer might get to swim is a false start. I've seen that happen, especially with the 8 & us. It's awful - pulling the crying swimmer off the deck and not allowing them to swim and bringing in an alternate.

I worked the table at All Stars a couple of years ago. 15-18s always has lots of scratches. The boys Butterfly had so may scratches, they had two empty lanes at the day of the meet.

I was an official last year and saw this happen. It’s so heartbreaking! But the alternate takes the lane at that point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The other way a swimmer might get to swim is a false start. I've seen that happen, especially with the 8 & us. It's awful - pulling the crying swimmer off the deck and not allowing them to swim and bringing in an alternate.

I worked the table at All Stars a couple of years ago. 15-18s always has lots of scratches. The boys Butterfly had so may scratches, they had two empty lanes at the day of the meet.

I was an official last year and saw this happen. It’s so heartbreaking! But the alternate takes the lane at that point.

Needlessly penalizing an 8 year old is what starters and refs live for. Years ago I saw a starter get four 8&Us at all stars thanks to terrible cadence

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The other way a swimmer might get to swim is a false start. I've seen that happen, especially with the 8 & us. It's awful - pulling the crying swimmer off the deck and not allowing them to swim and bringing in an alternate.

I worked the table at All Stars a couple of years ago. 15-18s always has lots of scratches. The boys Butterfly had so may scratches, they had two empty lanes at the day of the meet.

I was an official last year and saw this happen. It’s so heartbreaking! But the alternate takes the lane at that point.

Needlessly penalizing an 8 year old is what starters and refs live for. Years ago I saw a starter get four 8&Us at all stars thanks to terrible cadence

No, as a referee and starter I assure you that they feel absolutely horrible when they can’t let a kid who false started swim. But your role as a ref and starter is to enforce the USA swimming and nvsl rules fairly across all age groups. And so long as that remains a rule you need to enforce it.