USA & YMCA - 2019 Pennsylvania State YMCA Championship Meet
Fri Mar 22, 2019 - Sun Mar 24, 2019
Meets - USA Swimming
Qualified swimmers - timed finals; qualify at district champs meet
Penn State University, McCoy Natatorium, State College, PA
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Notes from a swim Mom:
Congrats to your swimmer for making it to States!
This list is not to stress you or your swimmer out. I hope it helps ease some worry and helps prepare both you and your swimmer for a great meet. This meet is different than most any other meet and these are the things I wished people had told me before Alexa’s first State meet.
The Host team does not require YY to provide timers. They do need officials. Officials also time.
Doors open at specific times each session. They will not open early and you have to wait outside until they open.
If your child wants a State sweatshirt or T-shirt buy it early as they do sell out.
Buy spectator tickets in advance when able. As long as a session (any session) is in progress you can stop at pool for apparel and tickets. Cash only. There is a link on the state's website now to purchase tickets in advance.
The spectator area gets very crowded. If you care about where you are sitting get there early but prepare to wait in line outside.
If you don’t care where you are sitting then it’s okay to come at the last minute as long as you already have your tickets.
Make sure you are standing in the correct line outside. Some lines are for people who already have tickets. Some are for people who need to purchase tickets.
Swimmers enter at a different door. Check meet info to see when doors open for swimmers.
In years past swimmers had to check in and get a tag before they could go down on deck. This may be done differently this year. We always went early and got Alexa’s tag so she didn’t have to wait in line.
Each swimmer must be present to check in. Kids cannot check in a teammate.
For Friday eve session it’s not possible to check in early or buy tickets early. Must wait until doors open. This session will not be as crowded though.
No chairs are allowed on the pool deck
Very very limited area for chairs in lobby for spectators.
Either no concession stand or very limited one
Hot in stands so bring water for yourself.
Park in parking garage near pool. There is a charge for this. I think 5.00
Remind swimmers that it is difficult to see scoreboard from where team is sitting.
There are seeders (not York Y seeders but seeders from the host team) for every session but swimmers still need to pay attention. Seeders will not go hunt for kids.
If events are close together swimmers need to know that they don’t need to get their picture taken after awards if they need to warm up or get to seeding area for next event.
Swimmers should take their cap and goggles with them to awards just in case. When Alexa was younger she almost missed an event because she got stuck getting her picture taken and then didn’t have her cap and goggles. Micah had to lift her over a couple barriers.
Swimmers should have a sweatshirt, warm up jacket or parka for awards.
Parents can buy flowers for swimmers. It’s customary but not required to buy flowers if your child is getting an award. Cash only.
Volunteers then take flowers down to swimmers.
You also can write a message to your swimmer with your flower purchase.
The famous creamery is very close to the pool and the line goes very fast.
The Nittany Lion Shrine is a short drive from the pool or a 15 minute walk. Very limited parking at the shrine.
The Downtown area is a longer walk from pool. It is down hill on the way to town but uphill on way back. I recommend driving downtown and parking in one of the garages.