Leah Hayes Breaks 10 & Under 200 Free NAG Record by 1.5 Seconds

Leah Hayes from the USA Athletic Club Tidal Waves Swim Team in Aurora, Illinois has broken the 10 & under National Age Group Record in the 200 long course meter freestyle.

On Friday afternoon, at the Illinois Age Group Long Course Championships in Pleasant Prarie, Wisconsin (yes, the Illinois state championships are being held in Wisconsin), Hayes swam a 2:14.87 to take more than a second from the old record of 2:16.30, done by Claire Tuggle in 2015.

Video of Hayes accepting her award, courtesy Sara Converse:

Hayes’ Splits: 31.27/1:05.23/1:40.40/2:14.87

Prior to Tuggle, the record belonged to two-time Olympian and 2012 Olympic silver medalist Elizabeth Beisel.

The Tidal Waves are a small club with around 50 swimmers an all-female coaching staff of 3, including head coach Nancy Hooper and assistant coaches Sara Converse and Janine Staudacher.

Hayes’ other results so far at the meet:

• 200 IM – 2:33.21
• 100 free – 1:02.58
• 50 breast – 37.52
• 200 free relay (rolling start) split – 27.66
• 200 medley relay (rolling start) butterfly split – 30.81

The full session video, including Hayes’ swim, can be seen here. Hayes’ race begins at the 47:45 mark.