Claire Tuggle Swims 1:44 in 200 Yard Free at 13

2018 NCSA JUNIORS (SCY)

• Tuesday-Saturday, March 13th-17th
• Orlando YMCA Aquatic Center, Orlando, FL
• Short Course Yards
• Meet Page
• Prelims Timelines
• Projected Finals Timelines
• Psych Sheet
• Tuesday Night Timed Finals Results
• Wednesday Finals Results
• Thursday Finals Heat Sheet & Timline
• Live Stream

13-year old Claire Tuggle became the youngest winner so far at the 2018 NCSA Junior National Championships on Thursday, winning the girls’ 200 yard free in 1:44.96. Besides ranking 39th among swimmers of any age in the country this season, the time is also the 2nd-fastest 200 yard freestyle in history. The next-fastest time by a 13-year old nationally this season is nearly 4 seconds slower, and as far back as USA Swimming’s SWIMS database goes, no other 13-year old has been better than 1:48.27 (5-time Olympic champion Missy Franklin).

Franklin is also the only swimmer in history to be faster than Tuggle’s time even at 14 years old. In 2010, the same year as Franklin made her first senior international team, the Pan Pac Championships squad, she swam 1:44.55.

Editor’s note: Taylor Ruck has spent most of her life training in the United States, and because she’s a USA Swimming member, is included in the official top times lists. She represented Canada at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

All-Time Top 6* (Ties) 13-14s in USA Swimming History, 200Y Free

1. Missy Franklin, 1:44.55, 2010
2. Claire Tuggle, 1:44.96, 2018
3. Melinda Lee, 1:45.07, 2017
4. Taylor Ruck, 1:45.81, 2014
5. Stephanie Elkins (1978)/Courtney Harnish (2014), 1:45.91

Tuggle has 8 total National Age Group Records: 3 in long course, 6 in short course, 3 as a 10 & under, and 5 as an 11-12. Her 10 & under record in this event is a 1:58.20 and her 11-12 record is 1:47.71.

This event has been a particularly-strong indicator of future success. The top 20 swimmers in this age group is riddled with NCAA All-Americans (almost all on the list who are old enough have earned honors). Among the Olympians in that group are Franklin, Taylor Ruck, Liz Pelton, Katie Ledecky, Natalie Coughlin, Katie Hoff, and Simone Manuel. Stephanie Elkins, who held the record from 1978 until Franklin broke it in 2010, qualified to race at the 1980 Olympics, but was left out by the boycott. She was a member of the World Championship winning 400 free relay in 1978.