USA Swimming is stocked full of young women’s backstroke talent.
And just as we’ve had time to catch our collective breath while 16-year old Missy Franklin settles into a long block of training before the Olympic Trials, the next young superstar has rolled out and announced herself as a force.
14-year old Kathleen Baker our of North Carolina (she formerly trained at STAR Aquatics, though now races unattached) took down Franklin’s 13-14 National Age Group Record in the 100 backstroke at the North Carolina Swimming 14 & Under Champs last weekend in the brand new Greensboro Aquatics Center.
Baker’s winning time of 52.87 was more than three seconds faster than anyone else in the field swam, and took down Franklin’s old mark of 53.16 that was set back in 2010.
Baker also took wins in the 50 free (23.01), 100 free (49.88 – a 13-14 State Record), 100 breaststroke (1:02.26 – another State Record), and 100 fly (53.46 – another State Record).
That 100 fly time was just .02 seconds away from another NAG Record. That mark currently stands at 53.44 in a tie between Felicia Lee and Kendyl Stewart.
Baker’s birthday is next Tuesday, February 28th, so it’s unlikely that she’ll get another run at the fly mark.
This is Baker’s third NAG Record: she holds the 100 back (tied with Janet Hu) and 100 IM records for 11-12’s as well.
The next weekend at the North Carolina State Championships, she would swim a 1:49.21 in the 200 free. Missy’s record of 1:44.55 in that event is still safe.
53, 52, 1:02, 49? She should give the 200im a crack. Anyone know how big she is?
@Sarah: Maybe when some girls hit puberty, they achieve high height/weight and height/width ratios, which could help long axis strokes.
Don’t know for sure Chris, but a newspaper article from when she was 12 puts her at about 5’6. I’d bet she’s getting up there by now.
Wow! How exciting. 100 back just keeps getting better and better. It makes me wonder, is there something about backstroke that makes it more condusive to younger women? Or is it just a coincidence all these young fabulous backstrokers?