IMR/IMX Challenge Information

USA Swimming has a number of programs to help swimmers reach the next level in their swimming careers. One of those programs is the IMR/IMX series designed to help various age groups compete in multiple events, rather than specialize in one stroke too early. The purpose of this USA Swimming program is to promote and encourage versatility in age group swimming while advocating for participation and development across a range of events that are integral to long term success in swimming.  Delta Aquatics believes this program promotes well rounded swimming skills and experiences.

IM Ready/Xtreme is a program that allows USA Swimming members to track their times against swimmers all across the nation! Just by swimming a specific program of events, you can see where you rank against your teammates, your region and yes, even across the USA!

Print out our checklist for EACH season to keep track of your progress towards IMR and IMX!
Short Course (September through March)
Long Course (April through August)

Delta Aquatics IMX Accomplishments 
For Short Course 2021-2022, qualifying period 9/1-3/31

		Ava Cabrera (10) Zach Burk (11) Zack Petersen (12)

The first step in the IMX Challenge is IM Ready (or IMR). To get "IM Ready," swimmers compete in a series of five events at shorter distances. Below, we've listed the line-up by age groups.

9 & Under; 10-year olds: 100 Free, 50 Back, 50 Breast, 50 Fly, 100 IM (SC) or 200 IM (LC)
11-year olds; 12-year olds: 200 Free, 50 Back, 50 Breast, 50 Fly, 100 IM (SC) or 200 IM (LC)
13, 14, 15, 16, 17, & 18-year olds: 200 Free, 100 Back, 100 Breast, 100 Fly, 200 IM

Once you've swum each event at least once at an official meet, you can log-in to your Deck Pass Account, and find out where you rank against all the other swimmers on your club team. You do not need to complete the IMReady program to participate in the IM Xtreme. It is simply a stepping stone.

IM XTREME (IMX)
Ready to move forward? The next step is IM Xtreme (IMX). The IMX ranking includes a series of five or six events at longer distances. Below, we've listed the line-up by age groups. 

9 & Under; 10-year olds: 200 Free, 100 Back, 100 Breast, 100 Fly, 200 IM
11-year olds; 12-year olds: 400 Free (LC) or 500 Free (SC), 100 Back, 100 Breast, 100 Fly, 200 IM
13, 14, 15, 16, 17, & 18-year olds: 400 Free (LC) or 500 Free (SC), 200 Back, 200 Breast, 200 Fly, 200 IM, 400 IM

Once you've completed the IMX program, you can log-in to your Deck Pass Account, and you can find out where your IMX score ranks nationally, within your zone, within your LSC rank and on your club.

How do I score points?
Rankings in the program are based on power points, a system developed by USA Swimming and Hy-Tek. See the Power Points page for more information and to use the Power Point Calculator.

A Note About IMX & IMR Scores
An IMX or IM Ready score is only established after a swimmer has swum all of the events required for their age group in a sanctioned meet since the start of the current season; both short and long course seasons start September 1 and end August 31 for IMX/IMR purposes Additionally, a swimmer must complete all of the events in the same course (SCY or LCM) to have a score in that particular course. Find your current IM Xtreme Challenge ranking. (The rankings below are only for the IMX program as USA Swimming does not show national rankings for the IMR program.)

How do I participate?
Participation in the IMR and IMX is easy. USA Swimming automatically scores and calculates results for all athlete members! Swimmers only need to sign up for a Deck Pass Account, then legally compete in each required event, at a sanctioned meet, at least once in a season. A swimmer's times will count for the entire season-so if a swimmer ages up during a season his/her score on the My USA Swimming page will show a score for the lower age group and the new age group.

Why is it important to have an IMX score? 
One of our program goals is to have all of our swimmers achieve an IMX score. Once you have a score, you can improve the score by dropping time. 

These scores help you track progress, help get you into USA Swimming camps/clinics, as well as help improve our team rank within USA Swimming. 

You can see your IMX score by logging into the Deck Pass app (get parental approval to download first). It tells you where you rank within our team, LSC (Illinois Swimming), Zone (Central), and nationally.

Certificates for IMR and IMX
Swimmers have the option of printing certificates that displays their scores for either IMR or IMX. They can also optionally print their national, zone, LSC and/or club rankings.