Does Long Course Swimming Matter for College Recruiting?
For many swimmers navigating the college recruiting process, one question comes up again and again: does long course performance really matter?
Many swimmers think that because they are going to swim short course in college and don’t have plans to swim at the Olympics, long course times don’t really have an effect on college recruiting, but I would argue against this point.
Before going further, it is important to clarify that this article is focused on U.S. high school swimmers who compete in both short course yards (SCY) and long course meters (LCM).
For international swimmers, coaches are used to recruiting solely based on LCM and SCM times. They regularly use conversion tools and experience-based standards to translate international performances into comparable SCY projections.
Long Course as a Window Into Progression
College coaches are not evaluating swimmers based on a single season or a single course format. Instead, they are trying to build a complete picture of an athlete’s ability, potential and trajectory. Long course results can play an important role in that evaluation, especially when a swimmer shows progression and improvement over the summer season.
What Long Course Reveals
One of the biggest advantages of long course racing is how it highlights pure swimming ability. With only one turn per 50 meters, swimmers have fewer opportunities to rely on walls and underwaters.
Because of this, long course often reveals technical weaknesses in the stroke and allows coaches to better evaluate:
- Stroke efficiency over sustained distance
- Ability to maintain stroke rate under fatigue
- Aerobic capacity and endurance
- Whether technique breaks down late in races
Coaches Actually Use Long Course in Recruiting
The University of Virginia swimming head coach Todd DeSorbo recently answered some social media questions on Instagram Stories, and one of the questions was:
“How much does long course factor into recruiting?”
His response: “Majorly!”
It is important to know that at the highest level of collegiate swimming, coaches aim to fill their rosters with Olympians, national record holders, and athletes who can compete on the international stage. These international meets, such as the Olympic Games, World Championships, Pan Pacific Championships, World Cup, and more, are what grow the sport beyond collegiate swimming. Placing athletes at these meets gives these programs and coaches increased credibility and recognition, making it a priority for these high-level coaches.
However, not every collegiate team is prioritizing international competition.
Most U.S. college coaches want to build a roster that is competitive in their conference, improve placement from the previous year, and move up the national rankings. Knowing that their incoming athletes can contribute to these goals in the short course season is crucial. This means that recruits’ short course times need to line up with team standards.
In these cases, LCM performances can still be a helpful supporting data point. Coaches may use LCM performances to:
- Confirm improvement trends
- Evaluate endurance and racing toughness
- See how an athlete handles high-volume meets with prelims, finals, and relays
- Cross-check development between seasons
- Make sure athletes are training in the off-season
Training Benefits That Carry Into Short Course
Since long course training plays a major role in building endurance, swimmers often feel stronger and more efficient once they return to yards. LCM forces athletes to sustain their stroke rate, hold technique under fatigue, and work on their aerobic development, all of which directly transfer into short course racing.
Staying engaged throughout the summer season also shows:
- Commitment to improvement
- Consistent training habits
- Readiness to contribute at the college level
Coaches want athletes who are building and working toward their goals year-round, not just one season.
For Recruits
While LCM times aren’t the deciding factor in every swimmer’s recruiting journey, they can still play a meaningful role in how coaches evaluate development. When paired with strong short course performances, they can strengthen an overall recruiting profile and separate swimmers who are continuing to improve from those who are staying the same.
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