Aquajets Break 13-14 Boys 400 Free Relay NAG with 3:36.01 at MN Senior State

2021 MN MNSI LSC Senior State Championship

  • July 29 – August 1, 2021
  • Jean K Freeman Aquatic Center, Minneapolis, MN
  • LCM (50m)
  • Results on MeetMobile

On the final day of the Minnesota Senior State Championships, held at the University of Minnesota, Aquajets Swim Team 14-year-olds Drew Ploof, Henry Webb, Evan Witte, and Jiarui Xue teamed up to break a 13-14 boys National Age Group Record.

The boys broke the 13-14 400 free relay NAG, putting together a 3:36.01 to finish 3rd at the senior meet. They only raced in the meet on Sunday, indicating the intention was solely to race this relay and take a stab at the record. Breaking the previous NAG by 1.46 seconds, the quartet certainly capitalized on the opportunity presented to them.

Irvine Novaquatics held the previous record from the 2019 CA age group championship meet, where Allen Cai, Mitchell Schott, Joey Chang, and Nick Grulke combined for a 3:47.47. Here is a split comparison between the Aquajets team from this weekend, and the 2019 Novaquatics squad:

2021 MN Senior State – Aquajets Swim team 2019 CA MVN SUMMER JOS – Irvine Novaquatics
Drew Ploof 54.41 Allen Cai 53.74
Jiarui Xue 54.58 Mitchell Schott 54.52
Eavn Witte 54.67 Joey Chang 54.73
Henry Webb 52.35 Nick Grulke 54.48
3:36.01 3:37.47

Notably, all 4 Aquajets boys were significantly under their personal best times, all of which were from July of this year. Ploof led off in 54.41, dropping 0.46 seconds from his week-old personal best. Xue’s 54.58 was over a second under his 55.51 personal best, also a week old. Witte’s 54.67 was well under his lifetime best 56.31, and Witte’s blistering 52.35 anchor was over a second faster than his month-old 53.48 personal best.

You can view a video of the race below, provided by Aquajets’ Instagram account.

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Megan Hughes
3 years ago

These young guys are just so great! This relay and the livestream clip that caught the moment was an electric and celebratory end to one very long season! Being on that deck and cheering as a TEAM wildly for this 3rd place relay was a highlight for us all – nearly impossible to capture the joy we all had without being there. These guys are not huge – yet. But they are full of promise as swimmers, teammates and more importantly, people. We are so proud of them and thankful to be part of a team that screams for each other until our throats are sore! The fans on deck and in the stands deserve a standing ovation, too! Truly,… Read more Β»

SWIMMINGRULES!
3 years ago

CONGRATS! But these guys are 14? They are massive!!!

Ferb
Reply to  SWIMMINGRULES!
3 years ago

Actually, they aren’t. They’re about normal size for their age. If you watch them in the Youtube link I posted, they are clearly smaller than most of their 15&O competitors in the same race.

Last edited 3 years ago by Ferb
Steven occupation
3 years ago

This is very epic. Congrats.

Coachy
3 years ago

Kate is one of the top 10 coaches in the country regardless of club, college or pro.

compsm
Reply to  Coachy
3 years ago

yessir aquajets close to top 10 club

cool person
Reply to  Coachy
3 years ago

kate’s an icon. the 🐐

Ferb
3 years ago

For another video perspective, here’s the recording of the session, with this relay starting at about 1:35:30. Congrats to the Aquajets boys!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88nQPgdWCR8

compsm
Reply to  Ferb
3 years ago

much better angle thanks!

WitteFan200
3 years ago

WITTE SWAM TWICEEEEEE

ct swim fan
3 years ago

I couldn’t tell which team it was she was filming.

compsm
Reply to  ct swim fan
3 years ago

lane 4, got third out of all 15 and over age group

That guy
3 years ago

Ole buddy on the far left has great build for some power workπŸ‘€πŸ‘€

Henry Webb
Reply to  That guy
3 years ago

πŸ‘€

compsm
Reply to  Henry Webb
3 years ago

your 6’5 205 right

Last edited 3 years ago by compsm
Henry Webb
Reply to  compsm
3 years ago

it rounds to about that yes

Jiarui
Reply to  Henry Webb
3 years ago

5’8 140

daddydressel
Reply to  Henry Webb
3 years ago

AND YOURE 14??? AND 6’5???

Henry Webb
Reply to  compsm
3 years ago

it rounds to about that

compsm
Reply to  Henry Webb
3 years ago

are you actually the guy in the video?

Henry Webb
Reply to  compsm
3 years ago

absolutely