Arizona Freshman Annie Ochitwa Breaks Natalie Coughlin’s NAG Record

2016 WOMEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

University of Arizona freshman Annie Ochitwa, who doesn’t turn 19 until April 10th, has broken one of the oldest standing National Age Group Records, and in fact the oldest National Age Group Record for 17-18s, male or female, long course or short course.

Ochitwa won the B-Final of the women’s 100 fly on Friday evening at the 2016 NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships in 51.02. In the process, she broke Natalie Coughlin’s record of 51.18,done in 2001. At the time, that swim by Coughlin was the fastest ever done by any swimmer at any age.

Her previous best time was a 51.35 done at the mid-season Texas Hall of Fame Invite, which had her as the 5th-fastest 17-18 in history.

With Coughlin’s gone, the oldest record for 17-18s belongs to Olympic champion Aaron Peirsol, who was a 1;55.15 in the 200 long course backstroke in 2002. The women’s records in that age group are much younger (thanks in large part to the likes of Ochitwa’s Pac-12 rivals Katie Ledecky, Missy Franklin, Simone Manuel, and Ella Eastin, among others). Former USC breaststroker Kasey Carlson is now the oldest mark among women, holding the 100 meter breaststroker with a 1:05.75 done in 2009.

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Stoyle
8 years ago

Mrianda Tucker could have a crack at it though.

Hswimmer
8 years ago

King will get Carlsons record soon. Break that suit record Lily!

bobo gigi
8 years ago

Congrats Braden. I had missed that one. 🙂

Natalie still has her antique 100 back American record but has lost her 100 fly 17/18 NAG record.
I had never heard of Annie Ochitwa before that article.
Impressive swim.
She bounced back in a great way from tough prelims in 52.20.

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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