David Curtiss Smashes Overall National High School Record in 50 Free with 19.11

Another day, another national high school record.

Less than 72 hours after lowering his own national independent school record in the 50-yard freestyle, Pennington School senior David Curtiss was at it again.

In a virtual dual meet against Phillips Exeter Academy, Curtiss led off the Pennington 200 free relay with yet another lifetime best and National Independent School Record. This time, he scorched a 19.11, improving by .15 from the 19.26 he went leading off the 200 free relay against Wilberforce School on March 3.

Curtiss has improved by .31 in the 50 over the last year. At the 2020 Eastern Interscholastic Swimming Championship last February, he won the 50 free individual event in 19.42, breaking Ryan Murphy’s 2012 mark of 19.54, from a 200 free relay leadoff when he was at Bolles School.

In addition to lowering the Independent School mark, Curtiss sailed past Aiden Hayes as the fastest-ever high school 50 freestyler. Hayes holds the National Public School record and, until today, owned the overall high school record, with 19.20.

Curtiss, who had been tied with Matt King at #7 on the all-time list for 17-18 boys, moved past King and Hayes and now occupies the 6th rung on the ladder all by himself. The fastest age group performance in the 50 belongs to Caeleb Dressel, with 18.67.

All-Time 17-18 Boys Rankings in the SCY 50 Free

  1. 18.67, Caeleb Dressel (2015)
  2. 18.71, Ryan Hoffer (2016)
  3. 18.76, Adam Chaney (2021)
  4. 18.88, Michael Andrew (2018)/Matt Brownstead (2021)
  5. 19.11 David Curtiss (2021)
  6. 19.20, Aiden Hayes (2021)
  7. 19.26, Matt King (2020)
  8. 19.29, Jake Houck (2021)
  9. 19.35, Drew Kibler (2018)

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Joe
3 years ago

I didn’t know it was possible to swim FR under water like that

cbswims
Reply to  Joe
3 years ago

IKR? He’s like a submarine. And he did this in a less-than-ideal pool. His start is absolutely on point his kick is powerful… I suspect we will be hearing more from David Curtis soon!

Joel Lin
3 years ago

So cool to see his teammates joyful for him on deck. Great spirit, love it.

RMS
3 years ago

I love the reaction of his teammates. Awesome swim!

olde coach
3 years ago

Can’t believe how far this official is out of position in terms of making a relay exchange call on the next takeoff…….just sayin

skiski
Reply to  olde coach
3 years ago

There could be another official off-screen.

olde coach
Reply to  skiski
3 years ago

Dual confirmation required on relays. Both officials should be at end of pool looking straight across.

Taa
3 years ago

so funny this guy is messing around with his high school meets when trials is a couple months away and he is probably got a decent shot to make the team if he can go a 21.5

Ol' Longhorn
3 years ago

He has serious LCM potential to be in the 21s already.

Costco555
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
3 years ago

Yeah man he already goes 21!

Misha Fan
Reply to  Costco555
3 years ago

Yeah i would figure someone who goes 21 has potential to go 21

Pvdh
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
3 years ago

Potential to do it again?

gator
3 years ago

Curtiss is a great addition to NC State’s sprint group!

Taa
Reply to  gator
3 years ago

Maybe he will recommit to a better school

HGtvman
Reply to  Taa
3 years ago

Love the salt in this guy^

gkjhdslks
3 years ago

Here’s to hoping his weekly trend of nat’l records continues 😉

About Anne Lepesant

Anne Lepesant

Anne Lepesant is the mother of four daughters, all of whom swam in college. With an undergraduate degree from Princeton (where she was an all-Ivy tennis player) and an MBA from INSEAD, she worked for many years in the financial industry, both in France and the U.S. Anne is currently …

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