Gold, Silver, Bronze recognition awarded to 235 clubs for performance excellence in 2019 and 2020.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Washington, D.C.-area’s Nation’s Capital Swim Clubhas claimed the No. 1 spot once again in the USA Swimming Club Excellence program for the seventh consecutive year. On an annual basis, the Club Excellence program recognizes USA Swimming’s highest-performing clubs in the development of athletes ages 18 years and younger.

Nation’s Capital Swim Club (NCAP), posted 71,900 points to outdistance runner-up SwimMAC Carolina by 24,411 points. NCAP’s top junior performers include National Team member Phoebe Bacon, as well as National Junior Team members Paige McKenna and Chase Travis.

Dynamo Swim Club, NOVA of Virginia Aquatics, and Mason Manta Rays round out the top five for 2021.

Now in its 21^st year, the Club Excellence program identifies clubs that execute strong, well-rounded programs to produce elite 18-and-under athletes. Due to limited long course meters (LCM) competition access during the 2020 summer season, the Senior Development Committee chose to honor all 2020 Club Excellence Clubs in the 2021 Program. Clubs with limited access to competition will not lose status in this challenging year, but clubs who have been able to compete will be recognized and be able to improve their medal status.  The Committee also chose to use a date range of July 1, 2019 through August 31, 2020 to calculate Club Excellence points for the 2021 Club Excellence Program.

The top-20 clubs earn Gold-level ranking, in addition to all 2020 Gold Medal clubs, six new members, earned a Gold Medal Ranking for a pandemic unique top-26. Those rated 21-100 are designated as Silver honorees in addition to all 2020 Silver Medal Clubs. The next 100 clubs are recognized at the Bronze level in addition to all 2020 Bronze Medal Clubs.

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. Starting with the 2018 Club Excellence rankings, Gold swims were multiplied by a factor of 2.0; points for Silver-level swims were increased by a factor of 1.5 throughout the extended July 1, 2019 – August 31, 2020 qualification period.

The following clubs achieved the Gold Medal ranking for 2021. Eighteen different USA Swimming Local Swimming Committees (LSC) are represented at the Gold Medal level.

* These 6 Clubs were Gold Status in 2020 and auto-received Gold Status in 2021 

Click here to view the complete 2021 Club Excellence Program results.

Bellevue Club Swim Team and Elmbrook Swim Club achieved a Gold Medal ranking for the first time. Since the inception of this program, 87 different clubs have earned Gold Medal ranking at least once.

Out of the 235 clubs recognized as Gold, Silver and Bronze programs, Illinois Swimming led all LSCs with fourteen clubs recognized, followed by Southern California Swimming with thirteen clubs.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senior Development Committee reassessed the program requirements and grant funding process for 2021. For 2021, the program will provide grant funding for 78 different clubs across the nation. These grants enable clubs to expand and enhance their programs as they strive for the highest ideals of athlete performance. For full information about the 2021 program requirements and grant funding, click here.

In conjunction with the USA Swimming Club Excellence program, USA Swimming will honor nine clubs as a 2021 Podium Club. Each team achieving a Gold Medal ranking for four-consecutive years will be named to the Podium Club.

Congratulations to the following nine clubs recognized as a Podium Club for 2021:

• Nation’s Capital Swim Club
• SwimMAC Carolina
• Mason Manta Rays
• Sandpipers of Nevada
• SwimAtlanta
• Long Island Aquatic Club
• Carmel Swim Club
• Marlins of Raleigh
• Pleasanton Seahawks

For more information about the Club Excellence program visit www.usaswimming.org/club-excellence.