Claire Curzan Jumps to #4 in 200 Back; Drops 17 Seconds in 14 Months

2018 SPEEDO WINTER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – EAST

While a snowmageddon may be bearing on Greensboro, before the swimmers race to get out of dodge on Saturday evening, they’re heating up the water inside the Greensboro Aquatic Center.

Claire Curzan jumped to 4th all-time in the 200 yard backstroker for 13-14 girls with a 1:53.09. Her previous best time was a 1:55.61 done less than a month ago.

What’s most incredible about the swim is that Curzan swam her first official 200 yard back only 13 months ago in 2:10.65, and in that short time period she’s improved by a whopping 17 seconds to become one of the best in history in the age group. She’s dropped 3 seconds in the 100 back over the same period.

Earlier in the meet, Curzan won the 100 fly in 51.92 (beating Douglass by .03), placed 3rd in the 50 free in 22.06, 6th in the 100 back in 52.77, and 16th in the 100 free in 51.09.

Top 5 All-Time, 13-14 Girls’ 200 Yard Backstroke:

  1. Missy Franklin, 2010 – 1:51.07
  2. Regan Smith, 2016 – 1:51.79
  3. Alex Walsh, 2015 – 1:52.07
  4. Claire Curzan, 2018 – 1:53.09
  5. Taylor Ruck, 2014 – 1:53.13

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Hswimmer
5 years ago

That’s insane. Wonder what she’s been doing in training to drop that much in a few months

Jmanswimfan
Reply to  Hswimmer
5 years ago

Its more than a year, so probably growing lol

Hswimmer
Reply to  Jmanswimfan
5 years ago

Growing doesn’t just make you drop time it’s the training also loll

Swimmer0883
Reply to  Hswimmer
5 years ago

She also changed teams

Swim
Reply to  Swimmer0883
5 years ago

To a team where there is no charge for your swimmer, if you have a National Time.

John
Reply to  Swim
5 years ago

Kids swim for free in university as well

Needs a Change
Reply to  John
5 years ago

Not really – scholarships are hard to get and full rides are even harder – boys hardly get anything – most get none.

Oldswimfan
Reply to  Swim
5 years ago

Wait is that allowed by USA Swimming?

NCSwimFan
Reply to  Swimmer0883
5 years ago

To a team that gives incentives like lower charges to families that recruit families/kids from other teams in the area.

NCSwimFan
Reply to  Braden Keith
5 years ago

I’m not disputing that. Claire is incredible. It was quite perplexing hearing about the switch at the time when she set multiple NAGs with RSA in the 11-12 age group. Maybe her and her family wanted her to be in a more competitive training environment. All I know is that TAC gives families lower charges when they are successfully able to recruit swimmers from other teams to join TAC. It’s been so much of a problem that the coaches in the area came out with a letter to parents telling them not to recruit in the stands at meets.

Really?
Reply to  NCSwimFan
5 years ago

Get your facts straight…….there is no recruiting going on….only jealousy when others see success at a fast growing team . Families have a choice in swim teams and those who are paying attention know TAC is the best program in the Triangle. It has been demonstrated by multiple age group championships, a 3rd place finish at Nationals and a 4th place finish at Juniors. Claire is an amazing talent and should be celebrated not torn down by obvious jealousy!

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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