What, exactly, the National Age Group Record was in the 13-14 boys’ 100 backstroke coming into today was of some question, but at the end of the day there was no doubt about who had the fastest 13-14 100 backstroke in history: King Aquatic Club’s Thomas Anderson. He swam a 48.73 at the Sectional Championship meet in Federal Way, at his home pool, to break the old National Age Group Record in the race.
The fastest time we’d seen coming into this meet belonged to Georgian Ethan Young from this year’s Georgia High School State Championship meet with a 49.12; a month after that swim, however, USA Swimming still hadn’t acknowledged the result (an unusually long stretch considering that they’ve updated the records since then), meaning the official mark still belonged to Gray Umbach in 49.20.
Either way, Anderson was well past the record and became the youngest swimmer to crack the 49 second barrier on Saturday. He was out in a stunningly-fast 23.32 en route to the record. Anderson has amazing underwaters, and word from his coaches are that last week, he kicked a 22-second 50 yards all underwater.
There were two 14-year olds under 50 seconds in this race. Ryan Hoffer was 8th in 49.88 (he was a tenth faster in prelims).
wow thats cool!! now KING has 3 NAG records!!!
wow thats cool now my team king has two 3 NAG records!!!!
And it continues! Congrats to Thomas Anderson! Another great young American backstroker! Ethan Young responds to Ryan Murphy. Benjamin Ho responds to Ethan Young. Thomas Anderson responds to Ethan Young. Ryan Murphy responds to Jack Conger. American backstroke industry really goes very well.
Holy cow missy Franklin a 4:34 in the 500?! I guess the bears found a place for her to break up the Georgia strangle.
Saw the race. Pretty amazing. 2 14-yr old boys in finals going under 50!