49th Annual Sunbelt Swimming Championships

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Registration Schedule

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49th Annual Jerry Clark Sunbelt Championships
January 20-21, 2024

Sanctioned by North Carolina LMSC for USMS, Inc.
Sanction# 134-S001

Meet Host:   Charlotte Swim Masters

Meet Director: Heather Hageman, theaquabug@yahoo.com

Meet Referee:  Marty Fehr, martinfehr21@gmail.com

Special Note: Please be aware this meet will need 200 entries to cover the cost of running the meet. We encourage swimmers to please register prior to the deadline. If the meet is cancelled for any reason, swimmers will receive a $30.00 refund. 

Facility:  The Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center (MCAC) is located at 800 East Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28202. Saturday parking is available at a satellite lot and directions to the lot will be communicated prior to the meet. Sunday parking is available in the facility parking lot. The competition course will be an 8-lane 25-yard course with bulkhead.  No folding chairs on deck. 

The length of the competition course is in compliance and on file with the USMS accordance with articles 105.1.7 and 106.2.1, but as a bulkhead course, is subject to length confirmation. Eligibility for USMS Top 10 and records will be contingent on verification of bulkhead placement.

Inclement Weather:  If inclement weather occurs, the staff at the MCAC will determine by 7:00 PM EST on Friday, January 19th, 2024, if the facility will or will not open the following morning. If the facility opens, the meet will be held.

Rules:  Swimmers must be registered with USMS for 2024. USMS One-Event Registration will not be allowed. USMS rules will govern the meet. Swimmers are limited to five (5) individual events and three (3) relays per day. In water starts will be allowed for all events. 

Warm-up/Warm-down Procedures:  Swimmers must enter the pool feet first except in designated sprint lanes at designated times. Pull buoys, kickboards, hand paddles, fins, and snorkels are not allowed in the competition pool or in the warm-up/warm-down area. The competition pool will be available during warm-up periods, and four (4) continuous warm-up/warm-down lanes will be available during the meet. 

Deadlines:  All entries must be received by NOON on Monday, January 15th, 2024.  Late entries will not be accepted. Deck entries for individual events will not be accepted. 

Fees:  Online entries only with a $65.00 flat fee, which is paid by credit card to CHARLOTTE SWIM MASTERS. The $65.00 fee includes up to five individual events and three relay events per day. This fee also includes a commemorative souvenir (t-shirt) for those who register in Club Assistant by December 31st. 

Relay Only Registration:  We are offering the option to enter only relays for a $35.00 fee. This fee does not include individual events or the commemorative t-shirt. The relay-only registrations must be done online in advance and will not be offered at the meet. Only those swimmers who have registered for individual events or have registered for relay only events can swim in a relay. Each swimmer in a relay must be a member of the same affiliated team. All swimmers must be USMS members.

Relay Entries: Entries will be accepted at the meet by filling out relay cards and turning them in to the clerk of course on deck during the warmup session. The 800 Free Relay is limited to the first 16 entries/2 heats.  The 400 Medley Relay is limited to the first 16 entries/2 heats. A participant or coach can also email the relay entry or entries ahead of time to the Meet Referee at martinfehr21@gmail.com.

Record Attempts:  1) Swimmers attempting to set a national record either in an individual event or a relay event are strongly encouraged to notify the meet referee before the event either in person or by emailing martinfehr21@gmail.com.  2) If the official time breaks an existing USMS record the swimmer or swimmers (relays) will need to connect with the meet referee and complete a RECORDS AND TABULATIONS (usms.org) form prior to the conclusion of the meet. Please print one ahead of time and bring to the meet. We will have limited copies available at the meet.  

Split Requests: If you are requesting an official split, please complete the Split Notification Form prior to the event. This form will need to be turned in at the clerk of course table on deck. 

Scoring & Awards: Individual events will be scored 9-7-6-5-4-3-2-1; Relays will be scored double. A slick paper plaque for peel-off stickers showing your place and time for each event you swim will be available to all entrants. These labels will be staged in folders on tables in the hallway outside the locker rooms once the event is completed. Team awards will be given for first place in-state and out-of-state teams.

Psych/Heat Sheets:

• Please bring your own heat sheets; there will be a limited number available for sale and a few posted in the pool area.
• Psych sheet will be emailed by 5 PM EST on Wednesday, January 17th, 2024. 
• Any corrections will need to be submitted by 5 PM EST on Thursday, January 18th, 2024.
• Heat sheets to be emailed to swimmers and coaches by 12 PM (noon) EST on Friday, January 19th, 2024.  
• The facility does not offer wi-fi access. We will try to have the heat sheet and results available real time on Meet Mobile, but the results may be delayed due to no wi-fi access. 

Seeding:

• All events will be seeded by sex and time except the following events which will be seeded by time only: 1650, 1000, and 500 free.
• 1650 Free, Event 1, will be limited to 24 entries.
• 1000 Free, Event 2, will be limited to 32 entries. 
• 500 Free, Event 45, will be limited to 40 entries.
• Positive check-in is required for the 1650 free, 1000 free will be Saturday, January 20th at 8:15 a.m. Positive check in is required for the 500 free due by the conclusion of Event 42, men’s 200 yard breast. 
• All events will be seeded from slow to fast, except the 500 free, which will be seeded fast to slow.
• The Meet Director reserves the right to combine sexes in any other events.

Lodging:  There are numerous downtown hotels within blocks of the pool.

Social:  Please respond either yes or no if you would like to receive more information regarding a social event to be held Saturday, January 20, 2024.

Note: If paying by credit card, your credit card statement will reflect a charge from "CHARLOTTE SWIM MASTERS."