The NCAA Division III time standards for the 2018-2019 season are out, though there isn’t much significant change from last season.
36 of the 62 cuts have gotten faster, but most of them only by small margins of a tenth of a second or two. The faster cuts are split perfectly between men and women, with 18 of 31 men’s cuts and 18 of 31 women’s cuts getting faster for 2018-2019.
Only one single cut got slower this season: the women’s 200 IM B cut, which rose from 2:05.78 last year to 2:06.56 this season.
2018-2019 will be the second season with the NCAA’s adjusted selection numbers at the Division III level. Last season, the NCAA amended its selection policies to raise the women’s cap, inviting 319 women to the NCAA Championships.
You can see the full list of time standards below:
| Men | Women | |||
| A Standard | B Standard | Event | A Standard | B Standard |
| 19.66 | 20.66 | 50 free | 22.73 | 23.75 |
| 43.34 | 45.33 | 100 free | 49.49 | 51.78 |
| 1:36.74 | 1:40.11 | 200 free | 1:47.34 | 1:52.37 |
| 4:20.26 | 4:33.75 | 500 free | 4:45.33 | 5:00.62 |
| 15:02.59 | 16:16.65 | 1650 free | 16:27.52 | 17:33.72 |
| 47.27 | 50.13 | 100 back | 54.12 | 57.00 |
| 1:44.47 | 1:50.04 | 200 back | 1:55.94 | 2:03.61 |
| 52.11 | 56.23 | 100 breast | 1:01.13 | 1:04.79 |
| 1:53.85 | 2:04.80 | 200 breast | 2:12.91 | 2:21.91 |
| 47.19 | 49.44 | 100 fly | 52.92 | 56.78 |
| 1:45.59 | 1:50.85 | 200 fly | 1:56.90 | 2:05.85 |
| 1:45.47 | 1:51.75 | 200 IM | 2:00.48 | 2:06.56 |
| 3:47.19 | 4:01.49 | 400 IM | 4:13.77 | 4:30.76 |
| 1:22.44 | 200 free relay | 1:35.63 | ||
| 3:03.29 | 400 free relay | 3:29.60 | ||
| 6:47.12 | 800 free relay | 7:39.30 | ||
| 1:31.17 | 200 medley relay | 1:45.35 | ||
| 3:21.21 | 400 medley relay | 3:51.41 | ||
You can also see the NCAA documents here:
So, In the entire history of DIII swimming, how many have been able to make the men’s 1650 A cut of 15:02.59? 2? Even the epic swim of 2017 between Conover and Greenhalgh where both were under that A cut, Greenhalgh came in with a 15:22. The top 2 last year were 15:15 and 15:17. What is the purpose of these A cuts when in the entire history of Division III swimming, only a rare few ever are that fast? It seems that the B cuts are the only relevant ones. It makes me wonder how these times are decided.
To avoid the 100 fly apocalypse that happened in 2013. 30 men qualified in that event that year and really messed with the numbers in other events. Essentially, A cuts have been eliminated and they use the line and cap system to fill events most equally. A cuts are calculated by averaging the time of the last 3 winners in that event.
As far as I can tell, the A-cuts have become functionally irrelevant. I think it’s mostly a goal-post, and has the value of showing recruits how fast D3 swimmers can be. But from a qualifying standpoint, there’s really no relevance anymore. This isn’t to say I dislike their system; as others have commented, it helps to protect against the issue of skewing invites toward some events rather than others. My biggest issue with D3 qualifying, which is a bigger issue on the men’s side, is simply that they do not have enough money to invite the top 16 people in each event. If you would be seeded to score at nationals, you should qualify. And, ideally, you would invite more… Read more »
Because nothing says equality like cutting Men’s programs while inviting even MORE Women to NCAA’s when they’ve been complaining of too many athletes for years on end.
Complaining on the wrong article, DIII is adding men’s teams
That is correct Div 3 is adding men’s teams but have not expanded the cap numbers for men which is a source of complaint for many. Meet size is almost irrelevant given the facilities available to host these meets (IUPUI and Greensboro can handle much, much larger meets). NCAA just doesn’t want to spend the $$$$$.
These are a bit extreme lol can’t wait to see D2
They’re already out onteh NCAA site. Div 3 times are actually faster than the Div 2 times.
Division II cuts by and large stayed the same or got slower. You can see them here: https://swimswam.com/nearly-half-of-2018-2019-division-ii-cuts-are-unchanged-or-slower/
Thanks!
You may be wondering how the D3 A cut in the 100 breast is 52.1, almost comparable to D1 (and other times fast too). In 2013 the A cut for many events, but particularly 100 fly, was so slow that close to 30 people would automatically qualify in the event, significantly limiting the qualifications in other events (200 breast got 12 invites I believe). So to base the selection criteria almost entirely on individual rank, the committee made A cuts the average of the 3 previous NCAA championship times. So, with Andrew Wilson being the stud he was, made the 100 breast time 52.1 due to a 51.7 and a 50.9 in his junior and senior years.