Abbey Weitzeil of the Canyons Aquatic Club didn’t have the patience to wait until Sunday to swim the 50 free, her best event, at the 2014 U.S. National Championships. With nothing else going on for her schedule Friday, Weitzeil swam a 24.80 in the 17-18 50 meter freestyle to break the National Age Group Record.
The swim ties the 24.80 that Simone Manuel went last year as a 15-16 at the World Championships as the fastest by an American Junior. The old 17-18 record belonged to star Kara Lynn Joyce in 25.00, a swim done 10 years ago in 2004. Weitzeil had tied the record during a time trial at Junior Nationals.
Though her two best 50 frees now have both been in time trials, Weitzeil proved she is certainly more than just a time trials swimmer earlier this week when she made the Pan Pacs team – swimming a 54.38 for 4th in the 100 free.
Weitzeil is still just 17 years old, and as such could have many more opportunities to take this record even lower.
Other interesting time trials results:
- Kyle Whitaker swam a 52.96 in the men’s 100 fly. He scratched the 400 IM earlier to focus on the 200 IM later in the meet.
- Arizona’s Elizabeth Pepper swam a 1:01.71 in the women’s 100 fly time trial. Taylor Katz from Florida was a 1:01.84.
- Wisconsin’s Aja Van Hout swam a 2:02.38 in the women’s 200 free.
If this time can be replicated on Sunday and Abbey can make the squad, that will be a BIG plus for the future of US women’s swimming. Every swim fan realizes that this is one of our weakest events and having a young, raw-talent such as Weitzeil, who has so much potential, will make the US sprint program that much stronger.
Simone has been on fire and I can see her, Coffman, Ivy Martin and obviously the now favorite – Abbey Weitzeil, taking it to our veteran swimmers – Coughlin, Weir, Hardy and Kennedy.
That being said, Natalie’s record and legacy is extremely impressive and if she can qualify for her 5th Pan Pac team (1999 was her first –… Read more »
You’re right about Natalie Coughlin.
What a career!
She will remain forever the first woman under the minute in the 100 back.
59.58 in 2002! Wow! It still looks as amazing.
Talking about that historic WR, I’m still waiting for the video 12 years after! 😆
😯 😯 😯 😯
But at the same time it’s not so surprising.
She has destroyed her PB in the 100 free on Tuesday.
Wow! Huge performance from a huge talent!
But why you didn’t wait for next Sunday? 😆
Now there’s a big target on your back!
Correction. 100 free was last Wednesday.