Where can I swim professionally after college?

Where can one swim with these times (college)?

• Hey, If a senior guy has these times. What would you predict he could do for college, as in where he could walk on? 500 Free: 5:30 200 Free: 2:00 Thanks!

• Answer:

  In the NCAA there are three divisions, Division I (D1), D2, and D3. The times in D1 are CRAZY fast. D2 times are reasonable as are the times in D3. The top times in D2 and D3 might make 14th - 16th place in D1. D1 & D2 offer swim scholarships, D3 does not. To be really honest, your times are not even good for practice times for a decent college swimmer at any level. I've had high school swimmers that can do 500 repeats on a 5:15 interval and hold 5 minutes or faster. No D1 coach would allow you pool space with those times. Depending on the D2 school, you might be able to walk-on. Most D3 schools would allow you to walk on. There is no way anyone can predict what you will do for times in college. A number of years ago, I had a high school senior that went a 49.4 for a 100 free ... he wanted to walk on to his D2 team and the coach would not allow him on the team with that time. Another swimmer I had a few years ago could go 4:26 for a 500. He swam for a big time D1 program and did not even make the traveling squad. Heck, he was 7th on his college team! I'd highly suggest that you take a peek at college times. Here is a web-site where you can see what kinds of times they are doing in college. For NCAA times from this last season, start by clicking on the following: http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=1402&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en Look to the left side and you'll see NCAA Information Click on NCAA Information and choose the division you want 1,2, or 3) Choose EVENT RANK Date range should be 10-11 Choose the event Choose gender Cut/Standard, use the drop down menu and choose NS For "Times To Include" ... chose BEST TIME ONLY Then ... Maximum # of results is your choice. The # you choose is up to you (and 7000) Then, here are three links to the NCAA Swimming Championships from last spring for D1 and D2: NCAA RESULTS 2011 D1 Men’s http://swimming.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=swimming&cdn=sports&tm=42&f=10&tt=13&bt=1&bts=1&st=11&zu=http%3A//www.ncaa.com/sports/swimming-men/d1 D1 Women’s http://swimming.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=swimming&cdn=sports&tm=268&f=10&tt=13&bt=1&bts=1&st=11&zu=http%3A//www.ncaa.com/sports/swimming-women/d1 D2 Men’s AND Women’s http://swimming.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=swimming&cdn=sports&tm=725&f=10&tt=13&bt=1&bts=1&st=11&zu=http%3A//www.ncaa.com/sports/swimming-men/d2