Erin Gemmell Becomes No. 2 All-Time American 13-year-old in 200 Free

  7 Torrey Hart | August 03rd, 2018

2018 Speedo Junior Nationals

31 Jul 2018 – 04 Aug 2018

2018 SPEEDO JUNIOR NATIONALS

Erin Gemmell, daughter of coach Bruce Gemmell (Katie Ledecky‘s former coach), swam a 2:00.70 to win finals of the women’s 200 free at the 2018 Speedo Junior Nationals.

Gemmell, 13, is now the second-fastest 13-year-old in US history, passing Sippy Woodhead (2:01.08). She just touched out 17-year-old Texas commit Miranda Heckman (2:00.77) Friday night, splitting 27.82 on the 1st 50, then going 30.31, 31.30, and 31.51 on the 2nd, 3rd, and final 50s.

Gemmell now sits behind only Claire Tuggle, who swam a 1:59.11 earlier this year, and went2:00.80 in finals for third place overall Friday night. In prelims Friday morning, Gemmell went a best time of 2:01.50, which made her the third-fastest American 13-year-old of all-time at that point.

With the swim, Gemmell moved from 15th to ninth in the all-time rankings for 13-14 girls, with a full year left in the age group. Tuggle swam a lifetime best 1:58.59 last week at the 2018 Phillips 66 National Championships, making her second all-time in the 13-14 age group, just behind Woodhead’s NAG record of 1:58.53.

NEW ALL-Time Girls 13 200 Free (TOP 5)

  1. Claire Tuggle – 1:59.11
  2. Erin Gemmell – 2:00.74
  3. Sippy Woodhead – 2:01.08
  4. Carly Geehr – 2:02.22
  5. Chelsea Chenault – 2:02.60

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Yozhik
6 years ago

That’s what leaders do to the sport. A year ago when 13 yo Claire Tuggle approached 2 min mark there were so many talks about new prodigy. Now 13 yo Erin Gemmell does exactly the same…Well, it isn’t a unique anymore.

Hswimmer
Reply to  Yozhik
6 years ago

Someone will breakthrough really young soon and hit a 1:56/7 I bet

Towelie
Reply to  Hswimmer
6 years ago

If a 13 year old girl went a 1:56 2 free would that be the greatest age group swim of all time? At least on the women’s side? All I can think of overall is Phelps 200 fly at 16 and a couple of ledecky’s swims, but they were both already established on the international scene and not really “age groupers” anymore. Maybe Mary T’s 200 fly?

tnp101
6 years ago

Wow, what a swim! Last 10 meters was.painful but she got.it done! Great job! Her style is similar to Ledecky. Go out fast and maintain.

bobo gigi
6 years ago
bobo gigi
6 years ago

The apple never falls far from the tree.

Coach
6 years ago

Way to go Erin!