2025 Speedo Winter Junior Championships — East: Day 4 Prelims Live Recap

2025 SPEEDO WINTER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – EAST

• December 10-13, 2025
• Indianapolis, Ind.
  • Prelims: 9 a.m. EST
    • Wednesday (1000 free): 1 p.m. EST
  • Finals: 5 p.m. EST
    • Wednesday (relays): 4 p.m. EST
• SCY (25 yards)
• Meet Central
• Psych Sheets
• How to Watch
• Live Results
• Live Recaps
  • Prelims: Day Two | Day Three
  • Finals: Day One | Day Two | Day Three

Day 4 Girls Heat Sheet

Day 4 Boys Heat Sheet

Welcome to the last prelims session of the 2025 Speedo Winter Junior East Championships.

The first three days of the meet have been full of fast swimming, and yesterday’s finals session saw a massive NAG record from Rylee Erisman, taking down a Katie Ledecky record, and two meet record swims.

Today’s session promises to pack excitement as well, not the least of which is Erisman taking the pool in the girls’ 100 freestyle after she broke Gretchen Walsh‘s National High School record in the event last month. She is the top seed, and will race in heat 18 lane four as she comes in more than a second ahead of the rest of the field.

The day will start with the 200 backstroke prelims where Charlotte Crush is the top seed in the girls’ event by more than two seconds over Audrey Derivaux. In the boys’ pool, Gwinnett Aquatics senior Baylor Stanton is the top seed, but SwimAtlanta breakthrough star Collin Holgerson, who is fresh of the fastest ever 100 back for a high schooler, is the 3rd seed.

The 100 free will swim next, and Crush will be back in the pool as she tries to earn a spot in the ‘A’ final behind Erisman. The boys’ 200 free champion Liam Carrington is the top seed in their pool, coming in just three tenths ahead of 2nd seed Austin Carpenter from Central Ohio Aquatics.

The breaststroke races were some of the closest in yesterday’s finals session, and the 200 breaststroke appears to be the same way. Karina Plaza, a 15-year-old out of Mecklenburg is the top seed in the girls’ event, only four tenths ahead of Kaidy Stout in 2nd, while the boys’ event will see Ian Heysen, yesterday’s silver medalist, as the top seed by about seven tenths over Matthew Wolfle.

The morning session will end with the 200 fly, where Derivaux will race as the top seed by more than two seconds over 2nd seed Nikki Nixon in the girls’ pool, and Liam Smith is the top seed by six tenths on the boys side.

There will also be a timed finals session in the mile later in the day that will conclude with the fastest heat during the day 4 finals.

Girls’ 200 Yard Backstroke — Prelims

• Meet Record: 1:48.32 – Bella Sims, Sandpipers of Nevada (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:50.95 – Charlotte Crush (2023)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 1:48.30 – Regan Smith (2018)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 1:47.16 – Regan Smith (2019)

Top 8 Qualifiers

1. Charlotte Crush (LAK) — 1:50.91
2. Audrey Derivaux (JW) — 1:52.54
3. Reina Liu (TAC) — 1:53.40
4. Ellie Clarke (CSC) — 1:54.87
5. Roos Rottink (MTAC) — 1:55.02
6. Kennedy Nuttbrock (DR) — 1:55.40
7. Lane Francis (NOVA) — 1:55.48
8. Carly Afanasewicz (PAC) — 1:55.79

Charlotte Crush easily earned her way into the middle lane for tonight’s 200 backstroke final, cruising to a prelims swim of 1:50.91 to come in more than a second-and-a-half ahead of 2nd seed Audrey Derivaux.

Crush split the fastest opening 50 in the field, turning in 25.14 to be the only swimmer under 25 seconds to start the race. She was 52.50 on her first 100 after splitting 27.36, and she came home in 28.96/29.45 to swim a little more than two seconds off her best time of 1:48.69 from this meet last year.

Derivaux qualified 2nd by almost a second over TAC Titans’ Reina Liu. Derivaux touched in 1:52.54 to Liu’s 1:53.48, despite being out more than six tenths slower, turning in 44.09 to Liu’s 54.42.

Liu’s swim was a slight drop from her previous best 1:53.84 from  last December while Derivaux added from her best of 1:50.91.

Boys’ 200 Yard Backstroke — Prelims

• Meet Record: 1:39.62 – Daniel Diehl, CUY (2022)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:43.15 – Michael Andrew (2014)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 1:40.58  – Baylor Stanton (2024)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 1:37.35 – Ryan Murphy (2014)

Top 8 Qualifiers

1. Baylor Stantono (GA) — 1:42.29
2. Davis Jackson (TAC) — 1:43.41
3. Denzo Senekal (BD) — 1:44.05
4. Collin Holgerson (SA) — 1:44.40
5. Anthony Pineiro (SFLS) — 1:44.71
6. Ethan Bathala (BSS) — 1:44.84
7. Jonny Palmar (TAC) — 1:45.22
8. Michael Geh (BAD) — 1:45.33

Baylor Stanton continued to build on his very strong meet so far, earning the top time in the boys’ 200 backstroke prelims, touching in 1:42.29 to come in more than a second ahead of he rest of the field.

Stanton was out behind 2nd qualifier Davis Jackson‘s time from an earlier heat, splitting 49.82 to Jackson’s 29.53. He came home strong tough, splitting 26.64/26.03 to ensure his spot in the middle lane tonight.

Jackson split 26.86/27.02 on his closing 100 to touch in 1:43.41, finishing 2nd overall in the prelims.

Denzo Senekal from the Blue Dolfins was seeded with a long course time, but his best time coming into the day was 1:48.78 from this meet last year. He shattered that time this morning, swimming 1:44.05 to qualify 3rd.

SwimaArlanta’s Collin Holgerson qualified 4th in 1:44.40, about a second add from his lifetime best 1:43.34.

Girls’ 100 Yard Freestyle — Prelims

• Meet Record: 46.29 – Abbey Weitzeil, Canyons Aquatics (2014)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 47.67 – Claire Curzan (2019)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 46.69 – Rylee Erisman (2024)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 46.09 – Simone Manuel (2015)

Top 8 Qualifiers

1. Rylee Erisman (LAKR) — 47.75
2. Charlotte Crush (LAK) — 48.42
3. Brynn Lavigueur (LAKR) — 48.82
4. Molly Workman (NLAC) — 48.91
5. Sarah Paisley Owen (MAAC) — 49.21
6. Roos Rottink (MTAC) — 49.46
7. Abi Burke (T2) — 49.62
8. Caden Martin (TAC) — 49.64

The girls’ 100 free prelims, unsurprisingly, went to Laker Swim Club’s 16-year-old Rylee Erisman in 47.75. Her swim was more than a second off her lifetime best 49.69 from last year, but she easily earned the top spot, coming in almost seven tenths ahead of the rest of the field.

Lakeside Swim Team’s Charlotte Crush earned the 2nd seed in 48.42 just after she earned the top seed in the 200 backstroke final. She was also just off her best of 47.85 from last year.

Erisman’s Laker teammate Brynn Lavigueur finished 3rd in 48.82, a tenth drop from her previous best of 48.98, and she will swim in lane three for tonight’s final.

6th qualifier Roos Rottink from the Memphis Thunder was seeded with her long course time of 57.23, and she dipped under 50 seconds for the first time this morning, swimming 49.46 to earn a spot in the final.

Boys’ 100 Yard Freestyle — Prelims

• Meet Record: 41.23 – Ryan Hoffer, Scottsdale Aquatics (2015)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 43.51 – Thomas Heilman (2021)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 41.96 – Kaii Winkler (2023)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 41.23 – Ryan Hoffer (2015)

Top 8 Qualifiers

1. Liam Carrington (BSS) — 43.05
2. Mike Rice (MSA) — 43.16
3. Brady Campbell (RAYS) — 43.46
4. Austin Carpenter (COA) — 43.68
5. Albert Smelzer (GSA) — 43.85
6. Julian Granison (WOW) — 43.86
7. George Dovellos (BSS) — 43.92
8. Andreas Da Silva (WOW) — 44.09

Bolles School’s Liam Carrington, who won the 200 free swam the fastest time in the boys’ 100 freestyle prelims, swimming 43.05 to come in just over a tenth ahead of Mecklenburg’s Mike Rice, who won the 50 free.

Carrington added about four tenths from his lifetime best 42.66 while Rice perfectly tied his best of 43.16. Tonight, the two will meet in the middle with the 100 free final as they both try to pick up another event win.

Mason Manta Rays’ Brady Campbell had a huge drop to qualify 3rd, swimming 43.46 in the prelims to come in eight tenths under his previous best time of 44.26 which he swam at tis meet last year.

Girls’ 200 Yard Breaststroke — Prelims

• Meet Record: 2:06.02 – Alex Walsh, Nashville Aquatic Club (2018)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 2:09.40 — Karina Plaza (2025)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 2:06.45 – Alex Walsh (2018)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 2:04.32 – Lydia Jacoby (2023)

Top 8 Qualifiers

1. Molly Sweeney (CSC) — 2:09.89
2. Kaidy Stout (GSA) — 2:10.66
3. Audrey Deras (MOR) — 2:11.64
4. Reese Reilly (RAYS) — 2:13.23
5. Bryce Winzenread (XCEL) — 2:13.68
6. Salem Bahr (ENSW) — 2:13.69
7. Maddie Moreth (VSC) — 2:14.14
8. Avery Klamforth (MAC) — 2:14.28

The girls’ 200 breaststroke prelims saw Carmel Swim Club’s Molly Sweeney drop nearly two seconds in the event to swim under 2:10 for the first time as she earned the top qualifying spot for tonight’s final.

Sweeney touched in 2:09.89 to be the only swimmer uner 2:10 this morning as she came in about eight tenths ahead of Greensboro’s Kaidy Stout, who added about a second to swim 2:10.66 for 2nd.

Sweeney split 1:02.02 on her opening 100, coming in a second-and-a-half ahead of Stout’s 1:03.40 as she was the only swimmer to swim under 1:03 on the first 100.

Audrey Deras from the Marlins of Raleigh finished 3rd in 2:11.64, nealry three seconds faster than her seed of 2:14.35.

Boys’ 200 Yard Breaststroke — Prelims

• Meet Record: 1:52.12 – Josh Matheny, Team Pittsburgh (2019)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:55.52 – Reece Whitley (2014)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 1:52.37 – Reece Whitley (2016)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 1:51.38 – Josh Matheny (2020)

Top 8 Qualifiers

1. Ian Heysen (BD) — 1:56.10
2. Prankhanthi Rai (BSS) — 1:56.17
3. Yi Zheng (CSC) — 1:56.23
4. Wilson York (LAK) — 1:56.58
5. Lucas Ackermann (FRST) — 1:56.85
6. Baylor Stanton (GA) — 1:56.86
7. Lucas Young (BSS) — 1:57.22
8. Matthew Cuadros (CGAC) — 1:57.63

Ian Heysen, yesterday’s silver medalist in the 100 breaststroke final, came out on top of the 200 breaststroke prelims, touching in 1:56.10, just seven hundredths ahead of Prakhanthi Rai’s 1:56.17 in the 2nd qualifying spot.

Heysen was out in 55.71, about six tenths slower than Rai’s 55.15 on the opening 100, but he split 29.91/30.48 on his closing 100 to make up ground on Rai’s 30.11/30.91 splits.

Coming in just six hundredths behind Rai is Carmel Swim Club’s Yi Zheng, who has been having a very strong meet so far in the IM races. Zheng dropped about two tenths to swim 1:56.23. Tonight’s final is shaping up to be a close one between the top three seeds.

Baylor Stanton will be swimming a 2nd event in tonight’s finals session as the 6th seed in the 200 breast.

Girls’ 200 Yard Butterfly — Prelims

• Meet Record: 1:50.15 – Alex Shackell, Carmel Swim Club (2023)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:54.33 – Audrey Derivaux (2024)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 1:51.24 – Regan Smith (2018)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 1:50.15 – Alex Shackell (2023)

Top 8 Qualifiers

1. Audrey Derivaux (JW) — 1:55.48
2. Alyce Lehman (JW) — 1:56.26
3. Taylor Klein (MSA) — 1:56.37
4. Nikki Nixon (TAC) — 1:56.73
5. Anna Shnowski (QSTS) — 1:56.74
6. Emily Wolf (FAST) — 1:57.73
7. Ellie Clarke (CSC) — 1:58.01
8. Reina Liu (TAC) — 1:58.16

Audrey Derivaux picked up her 2nd top time of the morning with her 1:55.48 in the girls’ 200 fly prelims. She added a little less than three seconds from her lifetime best 1:52.78, but was still almost a second ahead of the rest of the field.

She split 54.46 in the opening 100, more than a second faster than 2nd qualifier, teammate Alyce Lehman‘s 55.53. She split 30.11/30.83 on her closing 100 to lock up the win over Lehman’s 29.57/31.26.

Lehman swam a new personal best 1:56.26, dropping two tenths from her seed of 1:56.46.

Mecklenburg’s Taylor Klein dropped more than a second from her previous lifetime best to swim 1:56.37, qualifying 3rd. Her previous best was 1:57.81 from March of 2024.

Boys’ 200 Yard Butterfly — Prelims

• Meet Record: 1:38.95 – Thomas Heilman, Cavalier Aquatics (2024)
• 13-14 NAG Record: 1:42.77 – Thomas Heilman (2021)
• 15-16 NAG Record: 1:40.73 – Thomas Heilman (2023)
• 17-18 NAG Record: 1:38.95 – Thomas Heilman, Cavalier Aquatics (2024)

Top 8 Qualifiers

1. Liam Smith (GKC) — 1:44.53
2. David Sammons (MAC) — 1:44.67
3. Baylor Stanton (GA) — 1:44.94
4. Owen Lin (GSA) — 1:45.38
5. Ewan Dalrymple (CS) — 1:45.44
6. Yi Zheng (CSC) — 1:45.73
7. Hayden Vicknair (BAY) — 1:45.79
8. Michael Gumino (BSS) — 1:46.11

Liam Smith took the top time in the boys’ 200 fly prelims by just over a tenth as he touched in 1:44.53 to add about four tenths from his best time of 1:44.14.

SwimMAC’s David Sammons qualified 2nd in 1:44.67, five hundredths faster than his previous best of 1:44.72. Sammons had one of the fastest first 100s in the field, splitting 50.09 to come in ahead of Smith’s 50.37.

Smith came home in 54.16, squeaking out the top time ahead of Sammons, who closed in 54.58.

Baylor Stanton raced his 3rd 200 of the morning, qualifying 3rd in a new personal best time of 1:44.94, dropping eight hundredths from the 1:45.02 he swam at this meet last year. If he doesn’t scratch any of his events tonight, he will swim in three ‘A’ finals.

Carmel Swim Club’s  Yi Zheng will also swim multiple finals tonight, qualifying 6th in 1:45.73 after he earned the 3rd seed in the 200 breaststroke prelims in the prior event.

Owen Lin, who qualified 4th, dropped two seconds to swim 1:45.38 from his seed of 1:47.59. Ewan Dalrympyle, the 5th qualifier from Columbia Swimming, swam 1:45.44, dropping more than half-a-second from his seed time 1:46.05, and 8th qualifier Michael Gumino from the Bolles School was 1:46.11, dropping more than a second from his seed of 1:47.54.