SwimMAC Carolina has taken over the number one spot in USA Swimming’s 2022-2023 Club Excellence Rankings, surpassing last year’s top club, the TAC Titans.
USA Swimming announced Thursday the 200 clubs that will be recognized as Gold, Silver or Bronze medal clubs in the program, which “recognizes the organization’s highest-performing clubs in the development of athletes ages 18 years and younger on an annual basis.”
SwimMAC, which ranked third last year behind the Titans and Nation’s Capital, claims the top spot with 75,588 points, well clear of the TAC Titans (63,076).
The definition of 𝙀𝙓𝘾𝙀𝙇𝙇𝙀𝙉𝘾𝙀 🤝
Your 2022-2023 Club Excellence recipients » https://t.co/7UEJAtIQaA pic.twitter.com/01BbwNtaeW
— USA Swimming (@USASwimming) October 27, 2022
Leading the way for SwimMAC was 2021 U.S. Open champion and top-ranked recruit Baylor Nelson, along with fellow Junior National team member Norvin Clontz. Clontz had the highest-scoring swim for the club with his 3:50.82 performance in the 400 free (1,734 points).
Other top age group swimmers that contributed to SwimMAC’s number one ranking include Junior Pan Pac team members Ben Delmar and Matthew Lucky.
The Sandpipers of Nevada rank third with 44,189 points, while Nation’s Capital Swim Club, which had an eight-year run as the top team in the nation before dropping to second last year, was fourth (43,194). Rounding out the top five was Carmel Swim Club (41,539).
The Point System Explained
USA Swimming member clubs earn points based off athlete performance scores. Each team’s ranking score is based on the FINA Points Table, a power point rating system that assigns point values to individual swimming performances based on the Gold, Silver or Bronze time standard. All program requirements, including time standards, can be viewed here.
-USA Swimming
The primary objectives of the program are as follows:
- The development of strong, well-rounded age group and senior swimming programs that produce elite 18 & under athletes
- Resources to motivate and assist USA Swimming member clubs to achieve the highest athlete performance ideals
- Grant funding
- The USA Swimming club development system as an integral part in achieving excellence in the sport
2022 USA SWIMMING GOLD MEDAL CLUBS
| Rank | Club | LSC | Points |
| 1 | SwimMAC Carolina | NC | 75,588 |
| 2 | TAC Titans | NC | 63,076 |
| 3 | Sandpipers of Nevada | CA | 44,189 |
| 4 | Nation’s Capital Swim Club | PV | 43,194 |
| 5 | Carmel Swim Club | IN | 41,539 |
| 6 | Bolles School Sharks | FL | 38,906 |
| 7 | NOVA of Virginia Aquatics, Inc | VA | 31,983 |
| 8 | Dynamo Swim Club | GA | 31,271 |
| 9 | Elmbrook Swim Club | WI | 30,273 |
| 10 | Lakeside Aquatic Club | NT | 30,079 |
| 11 | Sarasota Sharks | FL | 28,997 |
| 12 | Irvine Novaquatics | CA | 28,471 |
| 13 | Cavalier Aquatics/Piedmont Family YMCA | VA | 27,870 |
| 14 | Lakeside Swim Team | KY | 26,512 |
| 15 | Aquajets Swim Team | MN | 25,852 |
| 16 | Scarlet Aquatics | NJ | 25,759 |
| 17 | Long Island Aquatic Club | MR | 25,469 |
| 18 | SwimAtlanta | GA | 25,296 |
| 19 | Mason Manta Rays | OH | 24,592 |
| 20 | Jersey Wahoos | MA | 24,429 |
Click here to view the complete 2023 Club Excellence Program results.
Two clubs reached Gold Medal status for the first time.
Cavalier Aquatics/Piedmont Family YMCA ranks 14th with 27,860 points, and Scarlet Aquatics sits 16th with 25,759 points. Last year, both clubs earned Silver Medal status.
Junior Pan Pac champion Thomas Heilman was a standout for Cavalier Aquatics/Piedmont Family YMCA last season, while U.S. Junior gold medalist Chloe Kim was among the top performers for Scarlet Aquatics.
A total of 19 clubs reached Silver Medal status for the first time, and 32 total teams were inducted into the program for the first time in club history.
Florida Swimming was once again the leading Local Swimming Committee (LSC) with 12 clubs recognized, having also had the most last year with 14.
USA Swimming also honored 10 clubs as 2023 Podium Clubs, earned by obtaining Gold Medal Status for four straight years. Among the 10 clubs, the TAC Titans earned Podium Club status for the first time.
2023 PODIUM CLUBS
You can find the Silver and Bronze medal clubs below:
2023 SILVER MEDAL CLUBS
| Club | Season Points |
| CLUB WOLVERINE (MI) | 24,214 |
| LONGHORN AQUATICS (ST) | 23,265 |
| ROSE BOWL AQUATICS (CA) | 23,217 |
| COR SWIMMING (NT) | 23,178 |
| NITRO SWIMMING (ST) | 22,137 |
| MISSION VIEJO NADADORES (CA) | 20,141 |
| ALAMO AREA AQUATIC ASSOCIATION (ST) | 19,559 |
| TIDE SWIMMING (VA) | 18,457 |
| GERMANTOWN ACADEMY AQUATIC CLUB (MA) | 18,369 |
| PALO ALTO STANFORD AQUATICS (PC) | 18,291 |
| COMMONWEALTH SWIMMING (NE) | 18,273 |
| SUBURBAN SEAHAWKS CLUB (MA) | 17,391 |
| GREATER SOMERSET COUNTY YMCA STORM (NJ) | 17,168 |
| FISHERS AREA SWIMMING TIGERS (IN) | 16,767 |
| BADGER SWIM CLUB, INC. (MR) | 16,219 |
| ARLINGTON AQUATIC CLUB (PV) | 15,760 |
| ROCKVILLE MONTGOMERY SWIM CLUB (PV) | 15,141 |
| BLUEFISH SWIM CLUB (NE) | 15,036 |
| METROPLEX AQUATICS (NT) | 14,958 |
| BELLEVUE CLUB SWIM TEAM (PN) | 14,506 |
| UNIV. OF DENVER HILLTOPPERS (CO) | 14,429 |
| KENTUCKY AQUATICS (KY) | 14,136 |
| NEW ALBANY AQUATIC CLUB (OH) | 13,888 |
| EVOLUTION RACING CLUB (CA) | 13,594 |
| CHELSEA PIERS AQUATIC CLUB (CT) | 13,408 |
| EAGLE AQUATICS (FG) | 13,024 |
| CROW CANYON COUNTRY CLUB SHARKS (PC) | 12,903 |
| CHATTAHOOCHEE GOLD SWIM CLUB (GA) | 12,001 |
| COAST GUARD BLUE DOLPHINS (VA) | 11,945 |
| NASA WILDCAT AQUATICS (IL) | 11,406 |
| GOLD MEDAL SWIM CLUB (AZ) | 11,400 |
| NORTH BALTIMORE AQUATIC CLUB (MD) | 11,295 |
| EMPIRE KC SWIM CLUB (MV) | 11,237 |
| ACADEMY BULLETS SWIM CLUB (IL) | 10,944 |
| DART SWIMMING (SN) | 10,611 |
| DUBLIN COMMUNITY SWIM TEAM (OH) | 10,518 |
| NORTH TEXAS NADADORES (NT) | 10,482 |
| SIERRA MARLINS SWIM TEAM (SN) | 10,290 |
| TAMPA BAY AQUATIC CLUB (FL) | 10,107 |
| SEATTLE METROPOLITAN AQUATIC CLUB (PN) | 10,096 |
| TSUNAMI SWIM TEAM OF K.C. (MV) | 9,737 |
| MANSFIELD AQUATIC CLUB (NT) | 9,709 |
| PIKES PEAK ATHLETICS (CO) | 9,564 |
| FOOTHILLS SWIM TEAM (CO) | 9,543 |
| TUALATIN HILLS SWIM CLUB (OR) | 9,446 |
| ZIONSVILLE SWIM CLUB (IN) | 9,387 |
| SWIM NEPTUNE (AZ) | 9,323 |
| TEAM GREENVILLE (SC) | 9,172 |
| LAKE OSWEGO SWIM CLUB (OR) | 9,136 |
| NORTH CAROLINA AQUATIC CLUB (NC) | 9,025 |
| TEXAS FORD AQUATICS (NT) | 8,993 |
| PATRIOT AQUATIC CLUB (IL) | 8,884 |
| CYPRESS FAIRBANKS SWIM CLUB (GU) | 8,875 |
| IRISH AQUATICS (IN) | 8,722 |
| BAYLOR SWIM CLUB (SE) | 8,687 |
| FORT COLLINS AREA SWIM TEAM (CO) | 8,663 |
| SOCAL AQUATICS ASSOCIATION (CA) | 8,482 |
| NORTH BAY AQUATICS (PC) | 8,254 |
| LOVELAND SWIM CLUB (CO) | 8,188 |
| OLYMPUS AQUATICS (UT) | 8,020 |
| INSPIRE SWIM TEAM (MW) | 7,942 |
| LA MIRADA ARMADA (CA) | 7,877 |
| KING AQUATIC CLUB (PN) | 7,785 |
| FOX VALLEY PARK DISTRICT RIPTIDES (IL) | 7,694 |
| Y-SPARTAQUATICS SWIM CLUB (SC) | 7,663 |
| FLOOD AQUATICS SWIM TEAM (FG) | 7,355 |
| EAST CAROLINA AQUATICS (NC) | 7,185 |
| EDINA SWIM CLUB (MN) | 7,080 |
| NEW WAVE SWIM TEAM (NC) | 7,021 |
| CHICAGO WOLFPACK AQUATIC CLUB (IL) | 6,969 |
| MID WISCONSIN WAVE MAKERS (WI) | 6,902 |
| SCHROEDER YMCA SWIM TEAM (WI) | 6,892 |
| SPARTAN AQUATIC CLUB (GA) | 6,861 |
| YMCA OF CUMBERLAND (MD) | 6,838 |
| PASEO AQUATICS SWIM TEAM (CA) | 6,714 |
| INDIANA SWIM CLUB (IN) | 6,639 |
| AMES CYCLONE AQUATICS CLUB (IA) | 6,501 |
| LIVERMORE AQUA COWBOYS (PC) | 6,396 |
| WESTERN YMCA WAHOOS (MA) | 6,380 |
| LAKE COUNTRY SWIM TEAM | 6,328 |
2023 BRONZE MEDAL CLUBS
| Club | Season Points |
| BLUE TIDE AQUATICS (GU) | 7,773 |
| SCOTTSDALE AQUATIC CLUB (AZ) | 7,771 |
| ELEVATION ATHLETICS (CO) | 7,152 |
| CORONADO SWIM ASSOCIATION TEAM ELITE (SI) | 7,152 |
| GATOR SWIM CLUB (FL) | 6,574 |
| WALNUT CREEK AQUABEARS (PC) | 6,515 |
| POSEIDON SWIMMING INC (VA) | 6,433 |
| SANTA CLARA SWIM CLUB (PC) | 6,363 |
| BARRINGTON SWIM CLUB (IL) | 6,297 |
| HIGHLANDER AQUATIC CLUB (FL) | 6,290 |
| OLY SWIMMING (MI) | 6,246 |
| PHOENIX SWIMMING (NE) | 6,218 |
| MARLINS OF RALEIGH (NC) | 6,165 |
| PINE CREST SWIMMING (FG) | 6,094 |
| STREAMLINE AQUATICS (ST) | 6,063 |
| AREA TALLAHASSEE AQUATIC CLUB (FL) | 6,009 |
| SPRINGFIELD AQUATICS (AR) | 6,002 |
| PHOENIX SWIM CLUB (AZ) | 5,989 |
| NAVAL ACADEMY AQUATIC CLUB (MD) | 5,815 |
| LAKER SWIM (FL) | 5,814 |
| DAYTON RAIDERS (OH) | 5,772 |
| FAST SWIM TEAM (CA) | 5,751 |
| ROCKET SWIMMING (FL) | 5,743 |
| UPPER MAIN LINE YMCA (MA) | 5,740 |
| SPOKANE WAVES AQUATIC TEAM (IE) | 5,732 |
| RIPTIDE (MN) | 5,728 |
| WESTERVILLE AQUATIC CLUB (OH) | 5,717 |
| RAZORBACK AQUATIC CLUB AQUAHAWGS (AR) | 5,700 |
| ENSWORTH AQUATICS (SE) | 5,700 |
| PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH AQUATICS (MA) | 5,682 |
| SOUTHWEST STARS SWIM CLUB (FL) | 5,648 |
| HUDSON EXPLORER AQUATIC (LE) | 5,624 |
| RACER X AQUATICS (AM) | 5,584 |
| YORK YMCA (MA) | 5,582 |
| DADS CLUB SWIM TEAM (GU) | 5,577 |
| GEORGIA COASTAL AQUATIC TEAM (GA) | 5,461 |
| BLUE DOLFINS (FL) | 5,445 |
| MECKLENBURG SWIM ASSOCIATION (NC) | 5,323 |
| LAKELAND HILLS YMCA (NJ) | 5,307 |
| JERSEY FLYERS AQUATIC CLUB (NJ) | 5,233 |
| TNT SWIMMING (SE) | 5,192 |
| HIGHLANDS RANCH AQUATICS (CO) | 5,069 |
| FIRST COLONY SWIM TEAM, INC. (GU) | 5,011 |
| PHOENIXVILLE YMCA (MA) | 4,972 |
| M.E. LYONS/ANDERSON BARRACUDAS (OH) | 4,951 |
| QUICKSILVER SWIMMING (PC) | 4,928 |
| FMC AQUATIC (IL) | 4,927 |
| SWIM STREAMLINE AT NORTHAMPTON (GU) | 4,911 |
| TEAM REBEL AQUATICS (CA) | 4,903 |
| HINSDALE SWIM CLUB (IL) | 4,824 |
| FLATIRON ATHLETIC CLUB (CO) | 4,780 |
| GREATER OMAHA AQUATICS LEOPARDSHARKS (MW) | 4,754 |
| CLOVIS SWIM CLUB (CC) | 4,726 |
| TREASURE COAST AQUATICS (FL) | 4,722 |
| GATOR SWIM CLUB (NE) | 4,660 |
| RALEIGH SWIMMING ASSOCIATION (NC) | 4,649 |
| GREATER TOLEDO AQUATIC CLUB (OH) | 4,591 |
| BULLDOG SWIMMING (CT) | 4,365 |
| ST. CHARLES SWIM TEAM (IL) | 4,359 |
| SOLO AQUATICS (NE) | 4,336 |
| CARDINAL AQUATICS (KY) | 4,280 |
| ORINDA AQUATICS (PC) | 4,271 |
| SOUTH METRO STORM (MN) | 4,187 |
| GLENBROOK SWIM CLUB (IL) | 4,175 |
| NEW CANAAN YMCA CAIMANS (CT) | 4,150 |
| LYNCHBURG YMCA SWIM TEAM (VA) | 4,091 |
| OZAUKEE AQUATICS (WI) | 4,069 |
| VIRGINIA GATORS (VA) | 4,068 |
| TEAM SUFFOLK (MR) | 4,028 |
| FANWOOD-SCOTCH PLAINS YMCA (NJ) | 4,020 |
| SARASOTA TSUNAMI SWIM TEAM (FL) | 3,963 |
| BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA (AM) | 3,928 |
| MAGNOLIA AQUATIC CLUB (GU) | 3,772 |
| BEND SWIM CLUB (OR) | 3,731 |
| MEMPHIS THUNDER AQUATIC CLUB (SE) | 3,676 |
| GWINNETT AQUATICS (GA) | 3,634 |
| WOLVERINE AQUATICS (SN) | 3,626 |
| MACHINE AQUATICS (PV) | 3,620 |
| WAUKESHA EXPRESS SWIM TEAM (WI) | 3,619 |
| OLD DOMINION AQUATIC CLUB (VA) | 3,604 |
| UTICA SHELBY SWIM CLUB (MI) | 3,577 |
| WATERLOO SWIMMING (ST) | 3,572 |
| SEWARD TSUNAMI SWIM CLUB (AK) | 3,542 |
| DE ANZA CUPERTINO AQUATICS (PC) | 3,542 |
| BIRMINGHAM ‘Y’ BLUE DOLPHINS (MI) | 3,539 |
| GREENWICH YMCA DOLPHINS SWM TM (CT) | 3,515 |
| HUNTSVILLE SWIM ASSOCIATION (SE) | 3,513 |
| QUEST SWIMMING (VA) | 3,509 |
| IOWA FLYERS SWIM CLUB (IA) | 3,504 |
| WICHITA SWIM CLUB (MV) | 3,492 |
| NASHVILLE AQUATIC CLUB (SE) | 3,479 |
| EAGLE SWIM TEAM INC. (MD) | 3,446 |
| HURRICANES SWIM TEAM (MN) | 3,416 |
| LANDER SWIM CLUB (WY) | 3,405 |
| STAR SWIMMING (NI) | 3,365 |
| ROCKWOOD SWIM CLUB (OZ) | 3,343 |
| FOXJETS SWIM TEAM (MN) | 3,341 |
| RICE AQUATICS (GU) | 3,326 |
| PATRIOT SWIM TEAM (MR) | 3,290 |
| TREASURE COAST SWIMMING CONQUISTADORES (FL) | 3,138 |
Man How did Annapolis swim Club not make it in? They had 1 silver 1 bronze qualifier and were top 200
Congratulations to the MAC swimmers and coaches. I am sure there has been quite a bit of work and dedication involved in getting back to calmer water. All of you deserve the accolades!
Hey SwimSwam. Can you breakdown the club excellence team by club size? Seems like most of the Gold clubs are mega teams with 500-1000+ members. Not so hard to bang put points when your senior swimmers number over 100. Why doesn’t USAS recognize smaller teams who consistently put out top swimmers and only have 100-150 swimmers. Seems like this program (which is great in principle) favors megateams.
I wish we could, unfortunately there’s not good information about club sizes available.
It does favor megateams. Which isn’t a terrible thing, right? Huge teams, on paper, mean great and professional management. I know in practice it doesn’t, but that’s not a bad theory. It takes a lot more managerial excellence to run a club with 12 sites and 2,500 swimmers than to run a club with 50 swimmers in one pool.
I think there’s another program that scales for size, isn’t there? If not, there should be.
Pretty sure Leah Hayes got a Silver Medal for her team all by herself. Not Gold, but this program doesn’t completely rule out small teams succeeding. Silver Medal teams get funding and there are a bunch of mid sized and small teams on that list.
This program is rewarding “The development of strong, well-rounded age group and senior swimming programs that produce elite 18 & under athletes;” taken from USA swimming
It does so by rewarding the fastest kids in club swimming. I think it would be pretty close to impossible to reward based on who “developed” the swimmers. It’s sort of the same reason why college coaches get selected to be national team coaches over club coaches. It’s hard to discern who should get credit but whoever helps take the final step usually gets rewarded.
I also think it would be hard to differentiate by club size but if you have a club of 100 and send 10 kids to Winter Juniors,… Read more »
I’d also be very curious about the sizes of these clubs. Do teams really have 2500 swimmers? Maybe you guys do a series spotlighting the top 10-12 club teams…size, staffing, history, philosophies, etc. I think that would be pretty interesting.
Congratulations to all recognized clubs and special shout out to Carmel Swim Club and Coach Plumb! Well deserved!