On Friday evening at the 2019 Spring International Championship meet in Clearwater, Florida, 14-year old Joshua Zuchowski of Flood Aquatics took down a legendary National Age Group Record.
Swimming in the long course meters final of the 200 backstroke, Zuchowski swam a 2:00.97. That time breaks the old National Age Group Record by almost 2 seconds, and is an Olympic Trials cut for Zuchowski.
The old mark has stood for a long time, too. It was set in 1998 by backstroker Aaron Peirsol, the best backstroker of his generation, at 2:02.78. Peirsol would go on to win 5 Olympic gold medals, 7 total Olympic medals, and break multiple World Records in his distinguished career.
That time by Zuchowski ranks 2nd nationally among all 18 & unders this season, behind only 18-year old Ethan Harder, who swam 1:59.79 at the Youth Olympics; and ahead of Carson Foster. He’s the youngest male qualifier so far for the 2020 Olympic Trials so far.
The meet has yards prelims sessions and meters finals sessions.
Zuchowski’s other results:
- 100 yard back – 49.36
- 100 meter back – 57.11
- 200 yard back – 1:57.32
- 200 meter back – 2:00.97
- 200 yard breast – 2:06.04
- 50 yard fly – 23.31
- 50 meter fly – 26.05
- 200 yard IM – 1:51.72
- 200 meter IM – 2:07.86
- 400 yard IM – 3:53.06
Josh and his family are amazing people. My kids were coached by Jonathan Zuchowski and they have such integrity, character, determination and faith. People that make a lifelong impact on you.
Nice job Josh! You are developing into a super star….just as we thought you would.
1:57 or 1:47 for his yards 200 back???
1:57 he swam in a brief saving energy for night swim
Still, it must’ve been hard to go that slow for him. I’m sure he could easily do 30×200s back on 2:10 holding well under 1:57
He must’ve floated through prelims…. 1:57 short course then a 2:00 long course in finals.
JZ you are the man today. Keep working your practices and you will be the man of tomorrow. Great Job.
Pretty sure he is the man of today with that time!
I know that in Usa SCY Nag records are important but LCM Nag records can be Worldwide appreciated and the swimmer isn’t, for sure, just an underwaters specialist.
This from Zuchowski is a great Nag record.
Indeed. Josh can get it done in short course as well, his underwaters are great. He and his coach really sweat the details…
Did he really go 1:57 yards and then 2:00 LCM? Wow!
Nope. SCY time 3/15/19 was 1:45.67.
Dilly dilly!!