<p>I was an all-state miler in track in HS in a relatively small state so that title did not really mean much … in a state like California or Texas I would have been just another guy … it’s all about times in sports like track and swimming … see how your times compare and where you fit in.</p>
<p>fishymom, you’re right regarding the concept of a “place for everyone” but it depends on where eswimming in college occurs on the individual’s priority list. Anyone could swim for fitness, for example, if swimming were important, but not to the extent that it supercedes other priorities for the individual. However I also worked with a young woman who wanted to swim for a college team- this was her dream, and many other parameters for “the school” were less important. She ended up swimming for her school as well as received an education- and because swimming for a college team were a defining qualifier for her shoice of school, ended up being fulfilled in all the other aspects of attending that particular school. Frankly this young woman wasn’t very competitive but swimming for a college team was a driving force in her life. She found a school at which she could fulfill that dream and in so doing had the level of satisfaction to achieve a college diploma, the experience of being on an intercollegiate team as well as all the other tangible and intangible qualities which make up “the college experience.”</p>
<p>I agree swimjim. I have known several kids who were not the fastest in the water but had a passion for swimming and really wanted to swim in college. And there are schools out there for those athletes. Not everyone can swim for a top DI program, but if swimming in college is a priority, there are plenty of varsity teams out there to choose from, as well as club programs. As long as swimmers, parents and coaches are realistic about the athlete’s prospects, they should be able to find a program that fits.</p>