2019 SPEEDO SECTIONALS – CARY, NC
- March 7-10, 2019
- Triangle Aquatic Center, Raleigh, NC
- SCY Format
- Live Results
After breaking the 13-14 national age group record in the 100 fly on day two of Cary Sectionals, 14-year-old Claire Curzan just missed the NAG in the 50 free. Her finals time of 22.01 just missed Gretchen Walsh‘s 22.00 NAG from 2017. Her previous personal best was 22.06, set at Winter Juniors East in December.
In the race Saturday, Curzan defeated 17-year-old Regan Smith (22.51) after taking second to Smith in the 100 fly Thursday. Curzan is now ranked No. 16 in history for ages 18-and-under women.
For swimmers 16-and-under, only two have broken 22 seconds. Those two are Gretchen Walsh (21.82) and Torri Huske (21.95). If Curzan were 15 years old, she would be No. 3 on those rankings, one spot ahead of Kate Douglass and future Olympic champion Simone Manuel (tied with a 22.04).
Top Five Performers of All Time: Girls 16-and-under 50 Freestyle (SCY)
- Gretchen Walsh – 21.82, 2018
- Torri Huske – 21.95, 2019
- Claire Curzan – 22.01, 2019
- Kate Douglass and Simone Manuel – 22.04, 2016/2013
- Alex Walsh – 22.08, 2018
Curzan currently holds four NAG records, all in butterfly. Her 13-14 marks are in the 100 fly (50.64) and the 200 fly (1:55.64).
Isn’t it strange that 4 of 6 best performers emerged within less than in one year? It is either something has changed with equipment/training/technique or swimmers/coaches/parents became paying more attention to the NAG records for some reason.
She also took 2nd in the 100 back in 51.55 to Regan Smith’s 49.77
Last week, Gretchen Walsh repeated her NAG. https://swimswam.com/gretchen-walsh-ties-50-free-national-age-group-record-in-knoxville/
When does she turn 15?
June 30
That stinks to miss the record by .01 but it is a best for her and that is what should be celebrated keep improving that is what this sport is about
Dang