This page is intended for Meet Officials, Administrative Officials, Computer Operators, Timing Staff, Marshals, Runner Volunteers, and other key meet personnel. The goal is simple: provide a safe, fair, efficient meet experience for every swimmer.

Officials

All officials should report to the Webster Room (Hospitality) 60 minutes before the start of each session. 

Officials Attire

• White polo shirt
• Khaki shorts or pants
• White shoes
• No team logos
• Officials credential and name badge (if available) 

Officials should also bring verification of current USA Swimming, YMCA Swimming, OHSAA, or NCAA officiating certification. 

Officials Meetings

• Monday AM: 8:00 AM
• Monday PM: 3:30 PM
• Tuesday Finals: 12:30 PM 

Governing Rules

USA Swimming 2024 rules govern the meet except with the following exceptions.

Exception #1

Swimmers may resubmerge during freestyle, butterfly and backstroke at the end of their race.

Exception #2

OHSAA backstroke turn rule is in effect. Swimmers may rotate past vertical toward the breast during the turn while following OHSAA limitations.

Exception #3

Swimmers may use KT tape without a doctor's note

Exception #4

8 & under swimmers may resubmerge during their swim

Additional Enforcement Priorities

• No deck changing
• No watches worn during competition
• Swimsuit compliance
• Proper relay participation and event limits 

Administrative Team

Administrative officials and meet operations volunteers should arrive well before facility opening to ensure:

• Timing systems are operational
• Meet Mobile feeds are functioning
• Results posting areas are prepared
• Scratch tables are ready
• Relay cards are available
• Volunteer stations are staffed 

Championship Format

Monday-  Preliminary sessions for most individual events. Timed final for 6 & under individual events and 8 & under freestyle relay.

Tuesday-  Finals competition. 

Finals Qualification

• Top 12 swimmers qualify.
• Places 1–6 swim in Championship Finals.
• Places 7–12 swim in Consolation Finals.
• Two alternates are identified for each event. 

Monday Clerk of Course Operations

A Clerk of Course will operate only during Monday Morning Session I for:

• 6 & Under
• 8 & Under
• 9–10 swimmers 

Key expectations:

• Organize swimmers by event and heat.
• Move swimmers from Clerk of Course to behind-the-block staging.
• Confirm athlete identity whenever possible before movement. 

Tuesday Finals have no Clerk of Course. Swimmers report directly to the blocks. It is the responsibility for each team to get their younger swimmers behind the blocks. 

Scratch Procedures

Swimmers qualifying for finals who do not intend to compete must submit an official scratch form signed by their coach. 

Scratch Deadline

Scratch forms must be submitted within 30 minutes of announcement of event results. After 30 minutes:

• Results become official.
• Seeding moves forward. 

Missed Swim Procedures

Monday (Prelims)

Starter:

• Calls missing lane twice.
• Waits 15 seconds.
• Heat proceeds if swimmer is absent. 

No penalty applies for missed preliminary swims. The event still counts toward the swimmer's event total. 

Tuesday (Finals)

Starter:

• Announces missing swimmer once.
• Waits 15 seconds.
• Calls alternate immediately. 

Once the alternate is called, the missing qualified swimmer loses the opportunity to compete in that event. 

Important: If a swimmer misses their first scheduled finals event, they are scratched from the remainder of the day's competition. 

Declared False Starts (DFS)

A swimmer may declare a false start only before a heat is announced.

A Declared False Start:

• Counts as an event swum.
• Counts toward event maximums.
• Is not permitted on Day Two (Finals). 

Relay Administration

Before the start of the meet, Relay cards must be submitted to Kyndra Tatum 10 minutes before session start. 

During competition, officials and timers must ensure:

• Relay participants match submitted entries.
• Order changes are properly documented on lane timer sheets before the heat begins.
• No relay exceeds athlete entry limits. 

An athlete exceeding event limits results in relay disqualification. 

Results Management

Results become official 30 minutes after posting. 

Parents should not approach meet officials or administrative staff directly regarding times or disqualifications. Coaches must initiate those discussions. 

Communication Priorities

Officials should focus on:

1. Safety
2. Fair competition
3. Consistency
4. Efficient meet flow
5. Positive athlete experience 

Head coaches should be notified of disqualifications whenever practical, though failure to provide notice does not invalidate a DQ. 

Judgment decisions made by the Meet Referee are final and not subject to protest. 

Adaptive Athletes

Meet officials should be informed in advance of any accommodation needs, including:

• Hand-signal starts
• Extra pool entry/exit time
• Specific lane requests
• Other reasonable modifications necessary for participation 

Weather & Emergency Procedures

In the event of:

• Lightning
• Thunder
• Severe weather
• Unsafe conditions

The Recreation Department staff, pool staff, and Meet Referee will determine suspension and resumption of competition. 

During evacuation:

• Pool deck clears immediately.
• Team tent area clears.
• Participants move into the Recreation Center gymnasium.
• Lifeguards and recreation staff direct traffic flow.