At the recent State Age Championships (13-17 years) Dr. Brent Rushall talked to many swimmers and took note of events which occurred. He was conducting a number of research studies on championship performances and behaviors of various categories of young swimmers, which were described here. One of the most basic statistics that was computed was the percentage of individual swims that bettered submitted entry times. This was used as the general index of performance success since not all swimmers can be finalists or medal winners. There were several notable features in these percentages. 1.The success rates were low. 2.The success rate was lowest on the fifth day in both groups. 3.The pattern of success rates across the days was different between the two groups. 4.Females had a much lower success rate than males, failing to achieve entry times in approximately two of every three swims. Performances in Finals Another statistic that was determined was the percentage of swimmers in finals races that improved times over those recorded in the heats. These figures exhibit some obvious trends. 1.On the average, one in four age-group finalists swam slower than in the qualifying heats. 2.Female age-group swimmers generally had a lower rate of improvement over heat times in finals races than males. 3.Male swimmers gradually increased the success rate as the meet continued. Comments : 1.Both 13-yr groups showed no decline over the five days of competition. 13-yr males performed better than females. 2.Both 14-yr groups declined over the competition period. Females declined markedly on the third day and did not recover. Males performed better than females. 3.Both 15-yr groups declined over the competition period. Males performed better than did females. 4.Both 16-yr groups showed no decline over the competition period. The difference between males and females was not as marked as it was for other age-groups. 5.17-yr male performances declined but 17-yr females did not over the competition period. Females performed better than males. 6.Could the marked performance drop in the 17-yr male group be caused by a lack of taper? 7.Participation rates for males declined steadily after the 14-yr classification. 8.In the older age groups (16 and 17-yr), participation rates were notably higher for males than females. 9.Female participation rates declined steadily after the 13-yr classification with a sudden, very marked drop occurring between both 15-16 and 16-17 years. 10.Female participation rates were higher than male age classifications in the 13 and 15-yr age-groups. 11.The participation rates for the 15 and 17-yr age-groups were inflated because of the younger swimmers who swam up to avail themselves of the extra events.