USA Swimming Scholastic All America Applications Now Available

By Reach for the Wall Staff

USA Swimming has opened the application process for the 2021-2022 Academic All America recognition program. Last year, USA Swimming rewarded 1,239 athletes in 9-12th grade who maintained a minimum 3.5 grade-point average and swam a time that met the 2019 Winter Junior qualifying time between September 1, 2020 and August 31, 2021. PVS fared well, with 49 swimmers who earned the Academic All America designation.  8 teams were represented as follows: NCAP: 24, RMSC: 9, Arlington Aquatics: 4, Machine: 3, Unattached: 3, The Fish: 2, All Star Aquatics: 2, Mason Makos: 1, and Occoquan: 1.

USA Swimming also provided a breakdown of all the athletes, the top 5 LSC’s and top 5 Clubs that were represented, with PVS just outside the top 5.

Athlete Numbers
Successful applicants: 1,239
Girls: 587
Boys: 652
Seniors with three or four years of elections: 163
Open Water Athletes: 1
9th Grade: 128
10th Grade: 285
11th Grade: 495
12th Grade: 331

Top Local Swimming Committee (LSC) & Clubs:
LSCs
North Carolina Swimming: 90
Florida Swimming: 80
Southern California Swimming: 68
Pacific Swimming: 65
Middle Atlantic: 52

Clubs
SwimMAC Carolina (NC): 31
Nation’s Capital Swim Club (PV): 24
Dynamo Swim Club (GA): 23
NOVA of Virginia Aquatics, Inc. (VA): 20
TAC Titans (NC): 14

We’ve summarized the main requirements below & the application can be accessed via USA Swimming: Scholastic All America Information Page

The application for the 2021-2022 year will be available online at the USA Swimming website from June 1, 2022 to September 6, 2022.

• The only method for application will be the online application on the USA Swimming website.
• Applicants will be required to have a USA Swimming account.
• Qualifying pool times for the applicant will be validated in SWIMS. Times MUST be in SWIMS and have been achieved between September 1, 2021 and August 31, 2022 (dates inclusive).
• Applicant will be required to have a transcript for the complete 2021-2022 academic year available for uploading to the application.
• Applicant must have been a member at the time of the swim and a current member when applying for the 2021-2022 SAA team.
• Applicant must have all application documents completed by September 6, 2022. Late applications will NOT be accepted or considered.

POOL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have swum an individual pool time equal to or faster than the 2022 Winter Junior qualifying time in any  individual event during the SAA qualifying period (September 1, 2021 – August 31, 2022) with qualifying times in SWIMS – list of times are posted on the USA Swimming website. Only ONE time is necessary and only ONE application is necessary.

SWIMMERS WITH DISABILITIES

Applicants must have swum an individual pool time equal to or faster than the 2021-2022 Para Scholastic All American Standards in any individual event noted within their self-reported P1, P2, or P3 grouping during the SAA qualifying period (September 1, 2021 – August 31, 2022, dates inclusive) with the qualifying times in SWIMS.  A cap of 56 athletes will be named with 2/event/gender.

OPEN WATER SWIMMERS

Applicants must have swum an individual pool time equal to or faster than the 2022 Winter Junior National qualifying time in the 800, 1000, 1500, or 1650 freestyle during the SAA qualifying period (Sep 1, 2021-Aug 31, 2022, dates inclusive) with the qualifying times in SWIMS AND participate in the Open Water National Championships held on April 1-3, 2022.  To be recognized as an Open Water swimmer, the applicant must select that designation on the application.

GRADE & GPA REQUIREMENTS

Applicant must have completed 9th, 10th 11th or 12th grade with a minimum 3.5 GPA for the current academic year

GRADE CONVERSION

A=4, B=3, C=2. If numerical grades are used, the following scale will be used unless the school’s letter grade conversion is given on the transcript: A=90-100; B=80-89; C=70-79. In calculating the GPA, no rounding will be used – one decimal place only.

HONORS & ACADEMIC SUBJECTS

Honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, PLTW courses, and dual credit college level academic courses will earn one fifth (.2) extra Grade Point. Only grades for academic subjects only are calculated – history/social studies, English, mathematics, sciences, foreign languages, computer sciences, visual and performing arts if indicated as academic. A grade lower than a C in an academic subject will mean automatic rejection of the applicant. Grades for non-academic courses will NOT be calculated – art, band, orchestra, choir, home economics, health, driver education, physical education, shop, etc. and any other class marked as non-academic will not be included in the GPA calculation (unless transcript indicates ‘academic’ or AP or IB).

There will be no special status designation for a 4.0 GPA other than for a national champion who also has a 4.0 GPA.