Swimming in college even if I'm slower than everyone else?

Question

I joined a swim team at a local pool a year ago around when I turned 16. I am going to be a senior next year and wanted to know if I could swim in college. I am probably one of the slowest kids my age on the team but I don't want to give up swimming only after a few years. I started learning to swim 3 years ago.

Which colleges teams might accept me if there are any? If not, is there any way for me to swim competitively after high school?

Answer 1

You have to look for the right college. A division 1 school is unlikely to let you swim on their team, but smaller division 3 schools usually have plenty of spots open for people of all levels (the exception to this being Kenyon, Denison, and a few other small Division 3 schools).  

Visit the websites of college you're interested in and they usually have a high school athlete or prospective athlete form you can fill out. You can also register on berecruited.com . Coaches look for swimmers of all ability at that website.

If you go to a big school (division 1 or otherwise) they are also likely to have a club team. This club still competes, but isn't part of the NCAA.  

You could also swim as a master's swimmer, they are open to anyone age 18 and over. However, if you do want to swim on an NCAA team I think there's some sort of eligibility rule that says you can't swim on a master's team. I'm not positive about that, but it's something I've heard.

Answer 2

you may not be able to swim competitively with your school (depending on their requirements), but most colleges and universities have intermural swimming--you would still get to compete, just on a more casual level.  also, after you're 18, you can join a master's swim team in your area.  it's just like your local swim team, only for people 18 and over.  it's great fun!

Answer 3

If you are really serious about competitive swimming you should look into joining a USS club. At your age you will probably be working out twice a day (about 5-6 hours total.) you can join one of these clubs while you are in high school. just make sure you understand the eligibility issues for your scholastic swimming as well. your coaches will know all about this.

These clubs major goal is to prepare you for either world class competition (Olympics) or college scholarship. They don't expect everyone to make it, they just expect you to be committed to working your best.

Answer 4

Oh yes, you can swim!

1) Lots of colleges with division three sports programs will let you swim for them. I was early into my competitive swimming career when I finished high school and had a great time swimming at a Div3 school in college. I got lots faster each year too, while most of the other kids had already gotten about as fast as they were going to get.

2) Check out United States Masters Swimming http://www.usms.org/reg/

There are masters swimming teams all over the country, maybe even one using your college pool for training! I have swum with 4 different masters teams now (depending on where I have been living). You can just train with a team, or you can compete. Anyone over age 18 can join and compete. You compete in 5-year age groups, and people do this up into their 80s (they get slower by then!). I love swimming, and have met so many great people that I train with at masters.

Good luck in college!