Aiden Hayes Jumps Michael Phelps for 2nd Place All-Time in 15-16 200 Yard Fly

2019 SPEEDO WINTER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – WEST

Aiden Hayes, an NC State commit and the #2-ranked recruit in the high school class of 2021, entered this weekend’s Winter Junior Championships as a known quantity in the sprint freestyles. He was the nation’s fastest high school junior in the 100 yard fly, and he backed up that sprint reputation with a 19.58 to win the 50 free on Thursday, followed by a 46.01 in the 100 fly and 46.31 in the 100 back on Friday to place 2nd and 1st, respectively.

But Hayes, swimming his 2nd race of the session, showed off a new dimension on Saturday with a dominant win in the 200 yard fly. The 16-year old from the Sooner Swim Club in Oklahoma swam a 1:41.34 that was nearly 3 seconds ahead of runner-up Jonathan Affeld in that race (1:44.02).

That time for Hayes moves him into 2nd place in USA Swimming history in the event among 15-16 year olds, behind only Luca Urlando (1:40.91). The swimmer he jumped for 2nd place on that list is one Michael Phelps, who until this summer was the World Record holder in the 200 fly in long course meters and who has won 10 major international gold medals in the 200 fly (including 3 times at the Olympic Games).

Hayes’ best time coming into the meet in the 200 fly was a 1:47.01 done in March, meaning he dropped almost 6 seconds on Saturday alone in the event. To highlight just how stunning of a swim this is for Hayes particularly: his 200 fly best time (1:41.34) is now faster than his 200 free best time (1:42.34) by a second.

Urlando’s swim from last year’s championships remains the Winter Juniors and Winter Juniors – West record. Urlando didn’t swim at the meet this season.

Top 5 Performers All-Time, Boys’ 15-16 200 Yard Fly

  1. Luca Urlando, 2018 – 1:40.91
  2. Aiden Hayes, 2019 – 1:41.34
  3. Michael Phelps, 2002 – 1:42.10
  4. Brendan Burns, 2017 – 1:42.94
  5. Alex Valente, 2014 – 1:44.10

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SWIM
4 years ago

Cooper Lucas went 4:26.50 for #2 all-time in 13-14. 15:19.78 for #3, and 3:52.97 for #5 all time.

Mikolaj J Kamyszek
4 years ago

I swim for Jenks in Oklahoma and when I saw him swim a 1 min 49 sec (I think) 200 fly I was amazed. At the Fall Invitational in 2019.
Also in paragraph 3 there is a spelling mistake.

Jendi
4 years ago

Geeeeezz

Ol' Longhorn
4 years ago

Great swim. The reminders this week of how insanely good Phelps (the 1:42 200 fly in 2002)) and Lochte (the 3:41 400 IM in 2003) were as teenagers is just stunning.

Bobo Gigi
4 years ago

Impressive meet for Hayes.
Let’s wish him to win 3 olympic golds and one silver in the 200 fly.

Mellon
Reply to  Bobo Gigi
4 years ago

Which three golds do you refer to?

PhillyMark
Reply to  Mellon
4 years ago

The GOAT’s

Mellon
4 years ago

He also ranks 2nd behind only Urlando in 15-16 100 yard fly.

Hank
4 years ago

🤔 Sounds like he needs to swim a 200yd free time trial now. He should be able to drop at least a1:38 if not faster

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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