A vote today could decide the fate of one of the Washington area’s most prestigious swim meets.
The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association board of control, meeting this weekend in Ocean City, will vote whether or not to institute a Maryland state meet, which could mean the end of the Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championships, otherwise known as Metros.
As proposed, a state meet would include the top swimmers from public schools throughout Maryland and crown a state champion just like most varsity sports. Prince George’s County schools, which concluded this past season with regional meets, would have a chance to win a state title.
But a state meet could crowd the schedule and force Montgomery County public schools out of Metros, which has long been regarded as the most important and final meet of the high school season for swimmers from MCPS and private schools in Maryland, Northern Virginia and D.C.
“Our coaches have been 100 percent against it,” said Bob Jennings, head coach at Quince Orchard and Montgomery County’s swimming director.
MPSSAA rules prohibit public schools from competing after a state tournament, meaning Metros could be reduced to competition among private schools, similar to the existing Washington Metropolitan Prep School Swimming and Diving meet.
Meanwhile, many counties in Maryland do not have swimming or diving, meaning the state meet could be less competitive and hold less prestige for MCPS swimmers.
If approved by the board of control, the plan would be forward to the state superintendent for final ratification.
