Beata Nelson Breaks National High School, National Age Group Records in 100 Fly

Video of Nelson’s race is above, courtesy of Jack Polono.

Beata Nelson, a junior at Verona Area High School, has broken both the National High School Record, and the 15-16 National Age Group Record, in the 100 yard fly at the Wisconsin High School State Championship on Saturday.

Nelson won the timed-final of the event in 51.70, which broke her own Division I State Record of 52.06 set last year. It was also faster than the 15-16 National Age Group Record done by Katie McLaughlin earlier this year in California. That 51.78 second swim by McLaughlin was also the overall National High School Record (and is still the Independent School Records).

The old Public School Record was matching 52.41’s done by future 200 fly Olympic Champion Misty Hyman in 1996 (Shadow Mountain High School – Phoenix), and Danielle Nack in 2012 (Mankato West High School – Minnesota). That swim by Hyman was the oldest female National High School Record still on the books.

A comparison of splits between McLaughlin’s old records and Nelson’s new record:

• McLaughlin ’14 – 24.49/27.29 = 51.78
• Nelson ’14 – 24.08/27.62 = 51.70

As one might expect for the 200 butterflier McLaughlin, she didn’t have as much speed going out as Nelson did, but was better on the back-half. Not enough better, however, to hold on to her record.

Nelson also won the 100 back in a new State Record of 53.15, was a 24.62 leading off Verona’s 2nd-place medley relay, and anchored the 200 free relay in 21.83.

A full meet recap will come later today.