2026 MHSAA Swim Championships

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Dates:	Class III – October 16, 2026 Class I & Class II – October 17, 2026
Site:	Tupelo Aquatic Center 92 North Veterans Memorial Blvd. Tupelo, MS 38804
Map:
Host:	Tupelo High School
Information:	Facility: Indoor 8 lane (m), 20 lanes (scy), 50 meters by 25-yard competition pool. The competition venue will use 8 short-course yard lanes with a minimum depth of 7’5” on the west side and a 12’4” diving envelope on the east side. Equipment includes Paragon Track Start Competitor starting blocks, Colorado Backstroke starting ledges, Colorado Gen 7 timing system, Colorado Aquagrip Pads, Colorado System Full Matrix LED Scoreboard, and Hy-Tek Meet Locker rooms for male and female athletes, lobby restrooms for spectators. Upper-level spectator Deck level seating for athletes only. Swimmers entered based on results from North/South Half. See the MHSAA website for results and qualifiers. Two coaches on the pool deck per team for up to 16 swimmers who are competing in events during the competition. Schools with additional swimmers competing in events are allowed 1 additional coach, for a total of 3 coaches on deck for a team of 17 plus swimmers. Max 3 coaches per team on deck. Bus Drivers are not allowed on the pool deck unless they are part of the coaching staff and meet the criteria for the coach/swimmer ratio. Fees are waived for coaches and bus drivers with proper credentials, as outlined in the coaches’ packet. MHSAA will provide the photographer for Class I, II, and III Championships. No team photographers will be allowed on the pool deck. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Entries:	Entries will be based upon the results of the North/South Half All events will be seeded according to the times from the North/South State Meets. The top 6 from the North, the top 6 from the South, and the next fastest 4 swimmers from either North or South meet will advance to the MHSAA Championship Meet. A list of qualifiers will be identified by the MHSAA and posted on the MHSAA website. Contact MHSAA for any questions/concerns regarding athlete qualification at misshsaa.com or call 601-926-6400.
Scoring/Awards	The top 8 swimmers in individual and relays will score The top 3 swimmers/relay teams will be awarded medallions at the podium below the American Flag. Team trophies for first and second place, female and male, Class I, II, and III
Meet Officials:	Meet Director: Josh Daniel jjdaniel@tupeloschools.com (573) 275-5910 Meet Referee: Nancy Leigh McDade mcdade.nancy@yahoo.com (662) 231-4800 Admin Referee: Meredith Mangiaracina meremango@gmail.com (504) 722-0374

Thursday, October 15, 2026 (Class III):

The Tupelo Aquatic Center will be accommodating open warmups in the following lanes:

South End of Comp Pool: 2:00–6:30 PM
EP Pool: 2:00–6:30 PM
North End of Comp Pool: 2:15–6:30 PM

The Coach of their team must have full control of the swimmers in their team. One way starts from the blocks. No relay starts.
Enter the facility from the North Natatorium doors (by the John Servati Memorial). No lobby entrances. Teams are strongly encouraged to check in on Thursday, pay meet fees, turn in completed payment forms, and pick up coaches’ packets between 3:00 and 6:30 pm at the table located by the North Natatorium doors. Only swimmers and coaches are allowed in the Natatorium on Thursday, for the general Facility closes @ 7:00 pm.

Participant Entry Fees: $10.00 (not fans)

Make checks payable to TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Please bring your check on Thursday, October 15, or Friday morning, October 16, 2026.

Friday, October 16, 2026 (Class III):

On-deck bleacher seating will be assigned to
Teams can enter from the North Natatorium doors at 6:45 am **Teams must enter together**.
Prior to entry, one coach must report to the check-in table by the North Natatorium doors to pay meet fees and pick up coaches’ packets if the team did not check in on Thursday afternoon.
No athlete, coach, or bus driver will be allowed on the pool deck without
Credentials will be found in the coaches’ packets along with the heat
Warmup Session 1: 7:00-7:30 am
Warmup Session 2: 7:30-8:00 am
Warmup Session 3: 8:00-8:30 am
7:00 am- Spectators may start entering the front lobby doors of the Tupelo Aquatic Center. Spectators will be given a wristband to be worn at all times. If they are returning for the finals session, they must present their wristband to regain entry to the Natatorium. If lost, you will need to repay $15.00. In accordance with the MHSAA, swimmers who did not qualify for the State Meet must purchase a ticket to enter and sit in the spectator seating.
Officials Meeting: 7:45-8:30 am
Coaches Meeting: 8:30-8:45 am
Preliminary Competition begins at 8:50 am
Final Session: Open warmups: 3:15-4:00 pm. (Doors will open 15 minutes prior to warmups for teams and spectators.
Competition: 4:15 pm (any adjustments will be announced at the meet)

Class I and II Team information:

Additional Open warmups in the Comp Pool on Friday, Oct 16, 2026, from 12:30-2 pm
Only Coaches and Swimmers will be allowed in the Natatorium during this time.
The Coach of their team must have full control of the swimmers in their lanes. Supervised starts, diving, and backstroke racing starts are permitted one-way. No relay starts during open warmups.
Additional warmup lanes will be available in the EP Pool (5 lanes available) from 5:00 pm to 7 pm. (Friday, Oct. 16)
Reservations must be made by Tuesday, 7, by Noon CST for use of the EP Pool. No diving.
Email jjdaniel@tupeloschools.com to reserve lane(s). First-come, first-served. They will be broken into 30-minute sessions in the EP Pool. Facility closes @ 7:15 pm.
Only swimmers and coaches are allowed in the Natatorium.
Arrive with swimsuits on and only the equipment needed to warm up, as there will be no seating available on deck or in the upper-level stadium seating.
Class I and II teams are strongly encouraged to check in on Friday, October 16, 2026, to pay meet fees, turn in completed payment forms, and pick up their coaches’ packets during the reserved warmup session. A table will be located by the EP Pool outside the Hospitality Room.

If you check in on Saturday morning, October 17, pay meet fees, turn in completed payment forms, and pick up coaches’ packets at the table located by the North Natatorium doors.

Participant Entry Fees: $10.00 (not fans)

Make checks payable to TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Please bring your checks and paperwork on Friday, October 16, or Saturday morning, October 17, 2026.

Saturday, October 17, 2026 Schedule:

On-deck bleacher seating will be assigned.
Teams can start entering the North Natatorium doors at 6:45 **Teams must enter together**.
Prior to entry, one coach must report to the check-in table by the North Natatorium doors to pay meet fees, turn in completed payment forms, and pick up coaches’ packets if the team did not check in on Thursday or Friday afternoon.
No athlete, coach, or bus driver will be allowed on the pool deck without
Credentials will be found in the coaches’ packets along with the heat

Warm-up and Timer Lane assignments will be posted on the MHSAA website.

Warmup Session 1: 7:00-7:30 am
Warmup Session 2: 7:30-8:00 am
Warmup Session 3: 8:00-8:30 am
7:00 am – Spectators may begin entering through the front lobby doors of the Tupelo Aquatic Center. Spectators will be given a wristband to be worn at all times. If they are returning for the finals session, they must present their wristband to regain entry to the Natatorium. If lost, you will need to repay $15.00. In accordance with the MHSAA, swimmers who did not qualify for the State Championship Meet must purchase a ticket to enter and sit in the spectator seating.
Officials Meeting: 7:45-8:30 am
Coaches Meeting: 8:30-8:45 am
Preliminary Competition begins at 8:50 am
Final Session: Open warmups: 3:15-4:00 pm (Doors will open 15 minutes prior to warmups for teams and spectators.
Competition: 4:15 pm (any adjustments will be announced at the meet)

Additional information for Coaches, Swimmers, Officials, and Spectators:

Spectators are not allowed on the deck (pool level) unless traveling to the restroom or to their seat in the upper-level stadium seating. There is a handicap lift located at the far North end of the upper-level bleacher seating for those who cannot climb stairs. Handicap seating areas will be identified with signs. If you are not handicapped or assisting someone who is handicapped, do not sit/stand in those No saving seats or roping off areas in the spectator seating areas. First-come, first-served basis.
Spectators are not allowed to stand at or in front of the railing to obstruct the view of others who are seated in any of the bleacher seating.
Team or individual banners will not be hung on the railing or wires on the North end of the competition pool. Team banners may not be hung over an event sponsor banner.
No type of posters will be hung or placed in the North stadium
Team banners may be hung on the front of the south end stadium bleachers on the rails, not the wires, but low enough not to obstruct any view. No taping of signs or posters on doors, walls, or windows of the Tupelo Aquatic Center. Team banners will not be allowed to be hung covering an event sponsor.
All children not participating in the meet must be under adult supervision at all times (including in the lobby area and outside).
Only high school swimmers will be allowed on the pool
No Boas, Hawaiian-type lei, Streamers, Pom-Poms, Feathers, or Bubbles in the Natatorium.
No taping on the walls, glass, or stadium
No glass/ceramic containers allowed in the Natatorium.
MHSAA will provide the photographer, Randy Williams, for the Class I, II, and III Championship Meets.
No team photographers will be allowed on the pool deck. NO EXCEPTIONS.
No pictures can be taken from behind the blocks where the swimmers start their race. No flash photography at the start of the race. Timers cannot have cell phones or cameras behind the blocks while timing.
Use of any devices (including cell phones) with recording capabilities, such as voice recording, still cameras, and video cameras, in the locker rooms, front lobby bathrooms, and family bathrooms is prohibited. No live broadcasting (including Facebook Live, YouTube, and other platforms) will be permitted. Additionally, no delayed broadcast distribution may occur without the MHSAA’s written permission.

The facility will be closed between prelims and finals for cleaning (the facility will open 15 minutes prior to the start of the Finals session of warm-ups).

Vendors:

MHSAA Team Shop powered by Pepwear (apparel)
Swim and Tri (swimwear and accessories)

For hotel lodging and restaurant information, please visit the Tupelo.net