Region B Swimming – Cancelled

Due to the hazardous weather conditions, the 2023 Region B Swimming Competition scheduled for today, Saturday March 25th at Lake Forest College has been cancelled. This event will not be rescheduled. A lottery draw will take place to determine the advancement to Summer Games.

COVID Procedures

Unless a venue has specific COVID protocols in place, Special Olympics Illinois is following Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC COVID protocols and guidelines.  Please refer to event specific information or website page (if applicable) to determine if the venue has any specific COVID protocols. 

Special Olympics Illinois is committed to providing the best athlete, volunteer, coach and supporter environment possible.  While we are excited to resume in-person events, the health and well-being of our constituents remains our top priority.  All of our in person events follow the COVID-19 recommended IDPH and CDC guidelines. 

Please review the COVID High-Risk fact sheet for more information:

https://www.soill.org/wp-content/uploads/2-High-Risk-Fact-Sheet-7.9.20.pdf

What Is Swimming?

Swimming, which is considered a lifetime activity, is appropriate for a range of ages and abilities. Competition events are based on a variety of strokes.

As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped into competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender when appropriate.

Athletes in Illinois who participate in swimming compete locally in a Region Qualifier. Gold medal winners from the regions are then eligible to advance to the state championship held at the Summer Games in Normal in June.

Swimming Events Offered in Illinois

• Backstroke – 25, 50 and 100 Meter
  • Breaststroke – 25, 50, and 100 Meter
  • Butterfly – 25, 50 and 100 Meter
  • Freestyle – 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 Meter
  • Individual Medley – 100 Meter (Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle)
  • Relays – 4X25 Meter, 4X50 Meter, 4X100 Meter Freestyle, 4X25 Meter Medley (Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, Freestyle

Competition Information

All Special Olympics Illinois swimming competitions abide by IHSA rules. Any modifications to these rules done by Special Olympics Illinois can be found in the linked rules interpretation.

2023 Special Olympics Illinois Swimming Rule Interpretations

Divisions

• Divisions are created to provide a competitive atmosphere for all athletes and are structured so that every athlete/team in the division has a reasonable chance to win during competition
• Male/Female divisions mean that males are competing with other males of the same age group and females are competing with other females of the same age group
• Open divisions mean that males are competing with other males of any age group and females are competing with other females of any age group
• Combined Open divisions mean that males and females of all age groups are competing against each other.
• As listed in the schedule, divisions were created per Special Olympics Illinois rules:

      For individual sports, divisions should have no more than eight athletes and whenever possible, no less than three.  In team sports, the best practice is to have four team divisions to allow for fair and equitable competition. Do not place more athletes or teams in a division than lanes in the pool or on the track.

8.   Evaluate potential division groupings for competitiveness.  If divisions are not competitive the following adjustments can be made:

1. Regroup age groups by broadening current age groupings:
   1. 8-13, 14-22, 23-39, 40 and over
   2. 8-15, 16-29, 30 and over
   3. 8-15, 16 and over
   4. 8 and over

            or by completely eliminating all age groups creating “open” divisions.  Once age groups are “open” they should be “open” for all divisions in that specific event. 

• At any point in time, genders may be combined to allow for competitive divisions.

At any point in time, the standard divisioning percentage may be expanded to include other athletes, maintaining the goal that there is a reasonable chance that the athlete may win that division.  Expand the percentage only when this creates a competitive division as stated above

• Races may consist of more than one division, but will be awarded separately following each race.

Protests & Disqualifications

Certified swim officials will be on deck and athletes will be disqualified for incorrect strokes, turns and finishes according to FINA and Special Olympics Rules. Athletes must stay in their lane until all swimmers have completed their race. Even if an athlete finishes without being disqualified, but then attempts to leave the pool by impeding on another swimmer in their assigned lane before they have finished, the athlete will then be disqualified. We will make every effort to inform coaches on deck and /or athlete of DQ’s immediately following and prior to awards presentation.

Protests must be submitted at the results table on the pool deck prior to the distribution of awards.  Protests may only be filed by THE HEAD COACH.  All decisions of the officials and the rules committee are final.  

Pool Deck

Pool deck will be open to one coach from each team provided there is adequate space at facility.  Coach will be identified with a designated pass, wristband, etc.  This decision will be made by the tournament director at each competition. 

• Athletes will only be allowed on pool deck when escorted for their event.
• Only one registered coach to be on the pool deck at a time.
• Traffic Flow- around the pool will move clockwise.
• Diving – Athletes may only dive into the water using the starter blocks.  Diving starts are not allowed in the 25 Meter races.

Timing System

All events will be started and timed electronically.  A back up stopwatch time will also be conducted.  We will use the stop watches as the official time. The time listed on the scoreboard will not always accurately reflect an athlete’s time and place. The Place Picking Official and Stopwatches will be utilized to determine final places if needed.

Facility Information

Please enter through the main entrance of the Recreation Center. Athletes and spectators can be in the main gym as well as the stands in the pool.

Locker Rooms – Are located downstairs near the pool.  If they would like to use them, athletes must be escorted by a coach into the locker room.  Escorts are not allowed to take athletes into locker room before or after race.

Directions to Lake Forest College Recreation Center

From Chicago — Take I-94 (Edens Expressway) north toward Waukegan. When I-94 splits off toward Milwaukee, stay left on the Edens, which becomes U.S. Route 41. Exit at Deerpath Road, turn right (east) onto Deerpath and continue through the town of Lake Forest and toward the College.

From points North — Take I-94 south from Milwaukee. Just south of the Wisconsin-Illinois line, stay left and follow U.S. Route 41. Exit at Deerpath Road, turn left (east) onto Deerpath, and continue through the town of Lake Forest and toward the College.

From points West & Southwest (including O’Hare Airport) — Take I-294 (Tri-State Tollway), which becomes I-94, north to Illinois Route 60 (Town Line Road). Exit and turn right (east) on Route 60. Continue east to Route 43 (Waukegan Road), turn left (north) for 1/2 mile to Deerpath Road. Turn right (east) onto Deerpath and continue through the town of Lake Forest and toward the College.

Lake Forest — Once in Lake Forest on Deerpath Road, proceed east through the business district and across the railroad tracks. Deerpath winds through a residential area and the next stop sign is Sheridan Road, which is the entrance to North Campus. For South Campus and the College’s athletic facillities, turn right (south) onto Sheridan Road, go approximately two-thirds of a mile, and turn right (west) into South Campus on Maplewood Road. The Lake Forest College Sports & Recreation Center (basketball, volleyball, swimming & diving, and handball) will be immediately on your left and followed by Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse (hockey). You can get to the tennis courts and softball field by parking in the main lot and walking between the two buildings. Continue west on Maplewood to Washington Road, turn left, and Halas Hall (Athletic Department offices) is located immediately on your right. Farwell Field (football and soccer) is located behind Halas.

Event Details

Per Lake Forest College teams cannot enter the facility prior to 6:55am

7:00 a.m. – Registration begins

7:05 – 7:25: Group 1 Warmups (optional)

• Lane 1 – Evanston (13)
• Lane 2 – Lambs Farm (10)
• Lane 3 – NSSRA (9)
• Lane 4 – SRACLC (8)
• Lane 5 – NWSRA (11)
• Lane 6 – District 54 (10)

7:25 – 7:45: Group 2 Warmups (optional)

• Lane 1- NISRA (21)
• Lane 2- NISRA
• Lane 3- North Suburban (25)
• Lane 4- North Suburban
• Lane 5- Libertyville Stars (29)      
• Lane 6- Libertyville Stars

7:45-8:05 Group 3 Warmups (optional)

• Lane 1- Byron (5)
• Lane 2- Freeport (12)
• Lane 3- ID Pennick (1)
• Lane 4- Iddy Biddy (15)
• Lane 5- Illinois Valley (6)
• Lane 6- NASR (6)

8:00 – Head Coach meeting with officials (Trophy Room)

8:20 – Opening Ceremonies in the gym

8:30 – Competition Begins

11:00 – Lunch delivered to teams who pre- ordered

Event Order – Athletes will be called based on their divisions according to the following schedule:

PDM 25 M

100 M Free

100 M Individual Medley

25 M Free

100 M Breaststroke

100 M Butterfly

50 M Backstroke

25 M Butterfly

25 M Backstroke

200 M Freestyle

50 M Butterfly

50 M Freestyle

25 M Breaststroke

100 M Backstroke

50 M Breaststroke

400M Freestyle

4 X 25 M Medley

4 X 25 Freestyle

4 X 50 M Freestyle

4 X 50 Medley

4X 100 M Freestyle

Awards

Awards will be presented in the main gym after each race has concluded.

Concessions & Souvenirs

Concessions will be available for purchase in the lobby. No Souvenirs will be available for purchase.

Supporting Documents

2023 Special Olympics Illinois Region B Swimming FINAL Results – 3/28/2023

Who We Are

Special Olympics is a global organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world.  Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 13,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities.  Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life.  Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support.