Herbie Behm's proposal sparks debate: Should dual meet wins influence NCAA swimming rosters?
A revolutionary idea is making waves in the world of NCAA swimming. Arizona State's head coach, Herbie Behm, has proposed a bold new system for determining NCAA Championship qualifications. But here's the twist: dual meet wins could grant teams three individual spots, yet only the top 270 men and 322 women would advance to the championship.
Behm's vision involves a structured season for all Division I schools, comprising six dual meets. Currently, some schools participate in as few as two dual meets, while others compete in ten or more. Following this regular season would be the conference and NCAA championships.
The crux of the proposal lies in how NCAA rosters are constructed. A dual meet win would grant a team three additional individual athletes on their NCAA roster. Losses, however, wouldn't contribute to roster spots. This system could potentially reward undefeated teams with a full roster of 18 athletes, aligning with the current NCAA limit. Importantly, Behm clarifies that the overall number of athletes at the championship would remain unchanged, as only the top performers would advance.
Behm tackled some intriguing questions in the comments. One reader wondered if this system would diminish the significance of conference championship meets and qualifying times. Behm assured that the current qualifying procedures would remain, but roster sizes would be influenced by dual meet records. Conference championship times would still count, maintaining their importance.
But here's where it gets controversial. A commenter raised a valid concern: "Wouldn't this proposal discourage top teams from facing each other during the season?" Losing a dual meet to a rival could mean a significant disadvantage at nationals. Behm's response? He suggests mandatory in-conference meets and competitions against equally ranked opponents, with the NCAA dictating schedules to ensure head-to-head action throughout the season.
The proposal also addresses the dynamics between mid-majors and Power 4 teams, suggesting similar season requirements for all Division I schools. And what about tied dual meets? Behm acknowledges the need for a tiebreaker system in such cases.
This proposal has the potential to reshape the NCAA swimming landscape, but it's not without its complexities. What do you think? Is this a fair and exciting way to determine rosters, or does it add unnecessary pressure to the regular season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
