Cleveland State is excited to host the 2019 National Invitational Championship. See below to learn more about the meet and your stay in Cleveland.
Meet Information
When?
The 2019 NIC is taking place Thursday, March 14 through Saturday, March 16. Prelim sessions will begin each day at 9:30 a.m. Finals sessions will begin each day at 6:00 p.m.
Where?
Robert F. Busbey Natatorium
2451 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115
The natatorium is in the Physical Education (PE) building on campus. The building is just east of E. 24th St. and sits in the middle of the block between Chester Ave. and Euclid Ave. The PE building is connected to and just south of CSU’s Recreation Center, which sits near the intersection of Chester and E. 24th. The PE building is just north of Fenn Tower, which sits at the corner of Euclid and E. 24th.
Who?
Fifty nine schools are entered in the event. Click here for the whole list.
Schedule/Results
| Thursday, March 14 | Friday, March 15 | Saturday, March 16 |
| Prelims (9:30 a.m.) | Prelims (9:30 a.m.) | Prelims (9:30 a.m.) |
| 50 Butterfly | 400 IM | 100 IM |
| 50 Breaststroke | 100 Butterfly | 200 Backstroke |
| 500 Freestyle | 200 Freestyle | 100 Freestyle |
| 50 Backstroke | 100 Breaststroke | 200 Breaststroke |
| 200 IM | 100 Backstroke | 200 Butterfly |
| 50 Freestyle | 800 Freestyle Relay (early heats) | |
| Prelims Results (PDF) | Prelims Results (PDF) | Prelims Results (PDF) |
| Finals (6:00 p.m.) | 1000/1650 Freestyle (early heats) | |
| 200 Freestyle Relay | ||
| 10-minute break | Finals (6:00 p.m.) | Finals (6:00 p.m.) |
| 50 Butterfly | 200 Medley Relay | 1000/1650 Freestyle (fastest heat) |
| 50 Breaststroke | 10-minute break | 100 IM |
| 500 Freestyle | 400 IM | 200 Backstroke |
| 50 Backstroke | 100 Butterfly | 100 Freestyle |
| 200 IM | 200 Freestyle | 200 Breaststroke |
| 50 Freestyle | 100 Breaststroke | 200 Butterfly |
| 20-minute break | 100 Backstroke | 20-minute break |
| 400 Medley Relay | 20-minute break | 400 Freestyle Relay |
| 800 Freestyle Relay (fastest heats) | ||
| Finals Results (PDF) | Finals Results (PDF) | Finals Results (PDF) |
Meet Details
Men's events will precede women's events.
The 1000 freestyle, the 1650 freestyle and all relays will be conducted as timed final events with remaining individual events contested in a prelims/finals format.
The fastest 20 seeded 800 freestyle relays will compete in Friday's finals session. The remaining teams in the 800 freestyle relay will swim at the end of Friday's preliminary session, swimming fastest to slowest, alternating heats of men and women.
The fastest 10 seeded swimmers in the 1650 freestyle will swim in Saturday's finals session. All others will swim at the end of Saturday's prelims, swimming fastest to slowest, alternating heats of men and women.
The top 20 competitors will score in each event. Only ‘A’ relays are eligible to score.
The 1000 freestyle will be conducted as part of the 1650 freestyle. The 1000-yard split for each swimmer will be used as the final time for the 1000 freestyle.
Diving
Diving scores from the 2019 NCAA Zone meets will be utilized in the team scoring. No diving will take place during the three days in Cleveland.
Ticketing & Seating Information
Tickets are available for purchase online. An all-session pass is $50 online while single session tickets are $10 online. Online ticket sales will end Wednesday, March 13, at 5:00 p.m.
Tickets will be available for purchase on site in the PE lobby outside the natatorium with cash or credit card on each day of the meet. If purchased on site, an all-session pass will be $60 while single session tickets will be $12.
All seating is general admission. Doors will open one hour prior to each session. The natatorium will be cleared between sessions, and spectators may not leave items between sessions. Fans may not access the pool deck.
Will Call will take place in the PE lobby and will open Thursday at 8:00 a.m. Will Call will remain open whenever ticket sales are occurring.
Heat sheets will be available for $2.
Parking
Fan parking for Thursday will be available in Cleveland State's Central Garage (entry on East 21st Street just south of Chester Ave.). Parking will be $2.00 for for the first hour and $2.00 for every two hours after. After parking, walk east on Chester Ave. or Euclid Ave. for two-tenths of a mile.
Fan parking for Friday and Saturday will be available in Cleveland State’s East Garage (entry from eastbound Chester Avenue at East 25th Street). Parking will be $10 per day with in-and-out privileges.
Campus Parking Map
(Natatorium is in PE building. East Garage is labeled EG. Central Garage is labeled CG.)
Live Results
Live results will be available on the Meet Mobile app.
Merchandise
Official meet merchandise will be available for purchase in the PE lobby outside the entrance to the natatorium with cash or credit card. Merchandise is also available online by clicking here.
Social Media
Follow the meet on Twitter (@CSCAA and @Viking_SwimDive) and Instagram (@cscaa1922 and @Vikingswimdive). Use hashtag #NICChamps when tweeting about the meet.
Qualifying Information
All Division I conference champions (individual and relay) receive an automatic invitation to the NIC. In addition, any individual or relay team who equals or surpasses the CSCAA ‘A’ time standard during the qualifying period shall be eligible to compete. Swimmers who qualify for the meet may also enter other individual events if they have achieved the CSCAA ‘B’ standard during the qualifying period.
Teams with four individual qualifiers may enter any relay with their best time if it does not meet the qualifying time.
Awards
Awards will be provided to the top three finishers in each event (individual and relay). The awards stand will be located in the northeast corner of the natatorium, in the corner by the 3-meter diving boards.
Defending Champions
Florida International is the defending women’s team champion. Navy is the defending men’s team champion.
Meet History
The 2019 NIC will be the fourth year the CSCAA has conducted a postseason championship. The meet was held at the Rockwall ISD Aquatic Center in 2014 and 2015. After a two-year hiatus, the meet was held at Navy last year. This 2019 edition is the largest NIC meet to date.
Your Time in Cleveland
Hotels
Cleveland State recommends the following partner hotels:
InterContinental Cleveland
9801 Carnegie Ave.
(216) 707-4100
InterContinental Suites Cleveland
8800 Euclid Ave.
(216) 707-4300
Holiday Inn - Cleveland Clinic
8650 Euclid Ave.
(216) 707-4200
Free Trolley Service Nearby
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority offers free trolley service in the city. The E-Line Trolley stops at the corner of Euclid Ave. and E. 21st on the Cleveland State campus, a 5-minute walk from the natatorium. The E-Line takes you to Public Square, the heart of downtown, and operates every 10 minutes on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
There are other free trolley lines with different routes and schedules. For complete information, click here.
