In addition to the big meets in Greensboro (Winter Juniors)
and Maryland (Tom Dolan Invite, NBAC Christmas Meet), there were a
lot of age group meets around the country serving as the fall
focus: somewhere above a normal circuit meet, but not quite the
‘big championship’ for the short course season. One of those meets
was the 2013 Diplomat Holiday Classic at Franklin and Marshall
College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and at that meet, 12-year
old Matt Magness from Golden Ram
Aquatics surprised everyone with a new National Age Group Record.
Magness swam a 1:45.52 in the 200 yard freestyle on Sunday evening,
which won the race by 10.01 seconds. That easily broke the 1:46.23
done by Nicholas Silverthorn in 2008. There were
a ton of National Age Group
Record-breaking swims in the last 10 days, almost a dozen, but none
were more of a surprise nationally than this one. That’s because
his previous lifetime best in the race was just a 1:52 – still a
very good time for a 12-year old, but one that didn’t even rank him
in the top 100 all-time in the age group. He was a 1:51 in prelims
before popping in finals.
He also won the 50 fly in 25.51; the 100
free in 49.73; the 50 free in 22.69; the 100 back in 54.64; the 100
fly in 54.99; and split a 49.57 on Golden Ram’s winning 400 yard
free relay. Sunday is actually Magness’ 13th birthday, but per USA
Swimming rules, he is the age that he was as of the meet’s first
day, so his time will count as an 11-12 National Age Group Record.
The record will have to be verified and approved by USA Swimming
before it’s official.
Congrats to Matt – excellent swimming this weekend at F&M.
I dont like that rule. This shouldn’t count as the NAG record for 11-12.
Well it makes sense, because you are able to compete in a certain age bracket for a meet? Same goes for any league summer or winter – there are birthday cut offs. It just worked out for him.
And it can cut both ways. IIRC, Simone Manuel aged up mid-World Championships last year, and didn’t get credit for the 17-18 50M free record even though she was 17 by the time that event final came around. (Her 15-16 NAG from that final remains faster than the official 17-18 time)
Fantastic swim. Coming from PA myself, it’s amazing seeing
the talent come out of our region. Matt Magness should be a name to
remember. Although his time may not have been as fast coming in, he
definitely must have put the work in to accomplish those times.
Overall, fantastic fantastic fantastic job Matt! Remember keep up
the hard work and you’ll accomplish even bigger things in due time!
Many Middle Atlantic swimmers doing a great job as well @ Dolan,
& Jr Nats.