Be the Referee: Swim Turn Judges
By
Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials
November 8, 2022
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Swim Turn Judges - Listen
Did you know the officials in swimming do more than make sure everyone dives in at the same time?
Each race has a turn judge who is positioned in line with the end wall. Their job is to make sure each swimmer is executing the proper stroke during his or her turn.
For example, if you are swimming the individual medley and are in the backstroke lap, you must turn while using the backstroke. You can’t go into the breaststroke while turning. If you do, the turn judge will signal to the referee by placing one hand overhead with an open palm, and then report it to the referee after the conclusion of the race.
The referee will then decide if the turn was legal or if the swimmer should be disqualified.
Previous Editions:
Oct. 25: Soccer Referee Jersey Colors - Listen
Oct. 18: Cross Country Tie-Breaker - Listen
Oct. 11: Soccer Shootouts - Listen
Oct. 11: Safety in End Zone - Listen
Oct. 4: Football Overtime Penalty - Listen
Sept. 27: Kickoff Goal - Listen
Sept. 20: Soccer Timing - Listen
Sept. 13: Volleyball Replays - Listen
Sept. 6: Switching Sides - Listen
Aug. 30: Play Clock - Listen
Aug. 23: Intentional Grounding Change - Listen
Performance of the Week: Riverview's Ewan Todd
January 26, 2024
Ewan Todd ♦ Riverview
Sophomore ♦ Swimming
Todd swam a pair of Lower Peninsula Division 3 Finals-qualifying times in the 50 (22.44) and 100-yard (50.12) freestyles, and also swam on winning and Finals-qualifying 200 (1:34.09) and 400 freestyle (3.26) relays as Riverview won the Downriver Classic for the first time since 2018, edging 2023 champion Trenton for the title.
Todd’s time in the 50 was a personal best, and he should have plenty more opportunities to shine as this season continues and after reaching the Finals in two individual races and two relays as a freshman last year. He helped Riverview finish 21st as a team leading off the 10th-place 200 medley relay and finishing 16th in the 100 breaststroke, and also qualified for the meet in the 100 freestyle and as part of the 200 free relay.
@mhsaasports 🏊♂️POW: Ewan Todd #swimming #freestyle #riverview #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
@mhsaasports 🏊♂️POW: Ewan Todd #tiktalk #questiontime #part2 #reese #snow #laughing #tiktok #phone #family #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
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Past 2023-24 Honorees
Jan. 18: Ashley Weller, Jackson Northwest basketball - Report
Jan. 11: Michael Baldwin, Saginaw Arthur Hill wrestling - Report
Dec. 15: Jena Fijolek, Fenton bowling - Report
Dec. 8: Sophia Wagner, Escanaba gymnastics - Report
Dec. 1: Isaiah Marshall, Southfield Arts & Technology football - Report
Nov. 24: Sarah Bradley, Clarkston Everest Collegiate volleyball - Report
Nov. 17: Kalieb Osborne, Waterford Mott football - Report
Nov. 10: Tekalegn Vlasma, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian soccer - Report
Nov. 3: Colton Kinnie, Birmingham Seaholm football - Report
Oct. 27: Lauren Timpf, Macomb Lutheran North golf - Report
Oct. 20: Alena Li, Okemos golf - Report
Oct. 13: Seth Norder, Grand Haven cross country - Report
Oct. 5: Paige Anderson, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer golf - Report
Sept. 29: MacKenzie Bisballe, Lake City volleyball - Report
Sept. 22: Jhace Massey, Gladwin football - Report
Sept. 15: Kaylee Draper, Sturgis swimming - Report
Sept. 8: Owen Jackson, Traverse City St. Francis tennis - Report
Sept. 1: Rachel Forsyth, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report
(Photos courtesy of the Riverview boys swimming & diving program.)