Every swimmer dreams of making it to the big meets—Winter Age Group Champs, Summer Age Group Champs, June Age Group Invite, and more. These championship meets hosted by Southern California Swimming (SCS) are key milestones for age group swimmers, showcasing the best talent across the region.
But what do you do when next season’s time standards haven’t been posted yet? How do you set meaningful goals for your swimmer when the official qualifying times are still pending?
💡 The answer: look back to move forward.
Why Historical Time Standards Matter
Time standards don’t usually change dramatically from year to year. While they may be updated slightly based on the number of swimmers qualifying or performance trends across the LSC, the core time ranges typically remain consistent.
By looking at the past 2–3 years of time standards, you can:
- Get a ballpark estimate of qualifying times for upcoming meets
- Set realistic stretch goals for your swimmer
- Track progress over the season with target times in mind
- Prepare mentally and physically for the level of competition
Where to Find Past Time Standards
Southern California Swimming (SCS) keeps archives of past time standards on their official website. Look for:
- Winter Age Group Championships
- Summer Age Group Championships
- June Age Group Invite
Tip: Check out some of the records we have here.
How to Use Historical Standards
- Identify your swimmer’s age group and the events they focus on.
- Look up the time cuts from previous years for those events.
- Set tiered goals:
- Bronze: Hit the “A” time standard
- Silver: Hit last year’s Age Group Invite or Champs standard
- Gold: Beat the cut by a few seconds to ensure qualification
Even if the standards shift slightly, you’ll be in the right range and setting your swimmer up for success.
Stay Ready: SCS Updates Usually Come Mid-Season
While the next set of standards might not be published until later in the season, they often don’t come with major surprises. Use the historical data now so your swimmer doesn’t fall behind in goal-setting or motivation.
Final Thoughts
Championship meets can feel far away, but planning starts now. Don’t wait for official cuts to be posted. Use the past to drive your swimmer’s future success.
🏁 Fast swims begin with smart goals.
