Welcome to the 2003 Colonies Zone Short Course Yards Championship meet! The swimming facility will be configured as two separate 8-lane competition courses, women in one course and men in the other, with both courses displayed on the scoreboard. The all deep-water lanes, overflow gutters and non-turbulent lane lines should allow for some very fast swimming! A separate 6-lane 25-yard pool will be available for continuous warm-up/cool-down throughout the meet.

ENTRIES: Must be received by Friday March 28, 2003. Competitors may enter up to 5 individual events per day, plus relays. The meet is open to all Masters Swimmers holding a valid 2003 USMS registration card. A copy of this card must accompany your entry! Age is determined by a swimmer’s age on April 13, 2003. (2003 USMS rules and regulations will apply).

SEEDING: Events will be seeded slowest to fastest, men and women separate. "No Time" entries will be seeded in the first heat. The 400 IM, 1000 free, 1650 free and all relays will be deck seeded.

RELAYS: Relay Deck Entries will be accepted prior to 8:15 A.M. each day or they may be mailed in with your meet entry. Relay Entry Forms are available at www.patriotmasters.org.

DISTANCE EVENTS: Positive check-in is required for all Friday events (or you will be scratched). Check in upstairs for the 400 IM by 6:00 P.M., the 1000 free by 6:20 P.M. and the 1650 free by 7:00 P.M. Friday. Choose the 1000 or 1650, not both.

AWARDS: Medals will be awarded to the first three places in each age group, and to each member of a winning relay. Special Championship awards to the highest scoring team in three divisions: Large, Medium and Small Team. Individual events are scored 9-7-6-5-4-3-2-1, relays 18-14-12-10-8-6-4-2.

T-SHIRTS: A new long-sleeve T-shirt has been custom designed for this meet. Please order it in advance with your meet entry, as we will not have extras for sale at the meet.

RESULTS: Will be available on-line at www.patriotmasters.org, www.colonieszone.org or by mail upon request. Results will be submitted for top-ten recognition.

DIRECTIONS: To George Mason University Aquatic and Fitness Center.

• From the West: Take I-66 east to Route 123 (exit 60), south on Route 123 for 2.7 miles to Braddock Rd, left on Braddock, left on Sideburn, park in Lot C.

• From the South: Take I-95 north to exit I-60, north on Route 123 for 14.5 miles to Braddock Rd, right on Braddock, left on Sideburn, park in Lot C.

• From the North: Take I-95 south to the Capitol Beltway (495), 495 west to Braddock Rd (exit 54), Braddock Rd west 5 miles to Sideburn, right on Sideburn, park in Lot C.

HOTELS: The following 3 hotels have double-double rooms available for Friday and Saturday night at a special Colonies Zone Championship rate and must be reserved before March 21, 2003: Courtyard by Marriott Fairfax/Fair Oaks 1-800-321-2211 has 10 rooms at $74.00; SpringHill Suites by Marriott Centreville/Manassas 1-888-287-9400 has 35 rooms at $64.00; Washington Dulles Airport Marriott 703-471-9500 has 55 rooms at $64.00. Ask for the George Mason rate if reserving a room at the following 4 hotels: Comfort Inn University Center - contact Adrienne Ball at 703-591-5900; Holiday Inn Fair Oaks - contact Raymond Messina at 703-352-2525 x 174; Best Western - contact Ajay Kapur at 703-591-5500; Hyatt Fair Lakes - contact Lori Bowman at 703-818-3181.

QUESTIONS: Meet Director - Peter Ward (703) 993-3930 e-mail pward2@gmu.edu; Meet Entries - Cheryl Ward (703) 359-5366 e-mail cherylaward@yahoo.com.

I, the undersigned participant, intending to be legally bound, hereby certify that I am physically fit and have not been otherwise informed by a physician. I acknowledge that I am aware of all the risks inherent in Masters Swimming (training and competition), including possible permanent disability or death, and agree to assume all of those risks. AS A CONDITION OF MY PARTICIPATION IN THE MASTERS SWIMMING PROGRAM OR ANY ACTIVITIES INCIDENT THERETO, I HEREBY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO CLAIMS FOR LOSS OR DAMAGES, INCLUDING ALL CLAIMS FOR LOSS OR DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE, ACTIVE OR PASSIVE, OF THE FOLLOWING: UNITED STATES MASTERS SWIMMING, INC., THE LOCAL MASTERS SWIMMING COMMITTEES, THE CLUBS, HOST FACILITIES, MEET SPONSORS, MEET COMMITTEES, OR ANY INDIVIDUALS OFFICIATING AT THE MEETS OR SUPERVISING SUCH ACTIVITIES. In addition, I agree to abide by and be governed by the rules of USMS. (Rule Book Article 203.1)

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