The NCAA has provided a form for schools to fill out if COVID-19 or other catastrophic circumstances prevent them from meeting the minimum contest requirements to compete at Division II championships.
The minimum requirements for 2022 championships are six contests with at least eight participants. Coaches can submit the form by February 11 if they were unable to meet those requirements.
NCAA Division II approved the reduction in minimum contest requirements at the beginning of February. Officials recommended the reduction after looking at recent COVID-19 data, which includes the rise of the Omicron variant. For swimming and diving, typical requirements are eight contests with a minimum of 11 participants.
In the past, Division II has enforced these minimum contest requirements in the past, including last season, when some schools had to add last-minute competitions.
The contest reductions across winter sports range from 14-25%. The reductions in participant size were reflective of the roster size challenges swimming and diving has seen over the past year, the NCAA said in its release.
“These reductions were carefully considered and provide Division II schools and student-athletes relief from cancellations due to COVID-19’s continued impact,” said Steven Shirley, chair of the Division II Administrative Committee and Presidents Council, in the NCAA release. “Providing student-athletes unparalleled access to championships is a pillar of Division II, and these reductions reflect a commitment to maintaining that access.”
The Division II championship is March 9-12, 2022.