Calm after the storm...

By Ed Becker, Officials Chair

The tranquility of the Wesleyan pool pictured at the top of the officials blog says it all. With the boys high school Open Championships on Saturday, the short course season in Connecticut comes to a close.  In all, 281 Connecticut Swimming officials worked at meets from the season's start in early October through the Age Group Championships last weekend.  They earned credit for working more than 1,800 total sessions at 76 sanctioned meets.  23 officials worked at Senior Championships.  70 officiated at Age Group Championships.  Most officials managed to get through the process of applying for a background check and meeting the other certification requirements.  Most are getting a hang of USA Swimming's Officials Tracking System (OTS).  In the weeks preceding the long course season, we are planning to host additional stroke & turn and starter clinics.  If your club would like to host one, please get in touch.  Generally, we would like 10, or so, participants.  Starter clinics require a pool.  It's not a bad time to "Sign In" at www.usaswimming.org and "View My History" in OTS.  Your certification is valid only as long as it's been less than two years since your last clinic or two years since your last online test.  Gook luck to those officials going on to work at Zones, Sectionals and beyond.  Finally, thanks for your contribution as an official to the sport of swimming and the enjoyment of our athletes.