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.

My 8&U was a 1st alternate last year. He didn’t get to swim but still checked in. He received a ribbon, was announced with the results, and got the patch. Totally worth it!

Op, glad you are going. It will be hot but a special opportunity to be "in the room" this summer at the event.

FWIW, my kid was 8 and was a 2nd alternate for NVSL All Stars (20th). Moved up to 1st alternate by the time that morning rolled around, I think.
Anyway, we went and he walked with the kids to clerk of course for the event. Then we watched as they had the swimmers line up for the start and then started counting heads.
They ended up waving him over to swim! It's been a few years and he hasn't made it back to All Stars (yet?!)... so having that chance was super special and memorable.

YNK! Good luck!

OP here - thanks for all of the response! We will attend. I was leaning towards attending but wasn't sure how it all worked with the patch and photo. This was helpful. I know my kid will be bummed to be there and not actually get to swim, but as you said, you never know. Thanks!

Our team (division 12 a few years ago) has a legendary story of a second alternate who went to All Stars, was put in after two scratches, and came in 8th overall. You never know....

Anonymous wrote:My child did practice this week. And I am not saying I don't want to go. I just wasn't sure how this worked. Our team didn't communite those type of expectations, as I said I am kind of new to all of this.

Some teams don't send many All Stars. Look at it this way - regardless if your kid swims, they will be an All Star for this year. HUGE honor in the NVSL. First and second alternates are expected to be ready to swim. So practice this week and do warm ups (not sure with 8&U). They will walk with the swimmers down to CoC and get their picture and patch. Sometimes a last minute scratch happens, sometimes it does not. But no matter what, your kid is one of the top swimmers this year.

Anonymous wrote:Our team makes it clear that if you’re an alternate you are expected to be at the last week of swim practice and show up to clerk of course for the event. It is unlikely that your 8 and under will swim. But you’re still supposed to show up. If you didn’t want to you should have scratched your child in advance of the league’s scratch meeting earlier in the week. That would’ve given the kid next on the list the chance to become an alternate.

If you scratch, the next swimmer will be let in and be an all star. They will not be in the program though, since that went to print on Wednesday.

They only get the patch and become official if they go to Clerk of Course.

The age group with the most scratches are 13&U because those kids have Futures and NCSA this weekend and quite a few 8&Us. My guess is that the later events will have scratches tomorrow due to the heat. And there are always on deck scratches.

Even if your kid does not swim, it is a huge honor and they are only official if they get the patch.

My child did practice this week. And I am not saying I don't want to go. I just wasn't sure how this worked. Our team didn't communite those type of expectations, as I said I am kind of new to all of this.

Our team makes it clear that if you’re an alternate you are expected to be at the last week of swim practice and show up to clerk of course for the event. It is unlikely that your 8 and under will swim. But you’re still supposed to show up. If you didn’t want to you should have scratched your child in advance of the league’s scratch meeting earlier in the week. That would’ve given the kid next on the list the chance to become an alternate.

I would go if you have committed to going.

Anonymous wrote:Its the 8 and under age group - it seems like that is the group with the smallest number of scratches.

That’s true, it is.

Its the 8 and under age group - it seems like that is the group with the smallest number of scratches.

*scratches in your event tomorrow

I’d go. They’ll get the all-star patch and be included in the photo. You don’t know if there will be scratches in your tomorrow, but there will be scratches.

What age group?

This is our first year with NVSL All Stars, my child is a 1st Alternate. Is it worth going to the event? I am guessing at this point it is highly unlikely my kid will get to swim correct? Its one of the earlier events so we wouldn't be waiting around all day. I am torn.