At the 2018 Illinois Swimming Age Group Championships (held, ironically, in Wisconsin), Leah Hayes swam a 1:02.63 in the 100 yard breaststroke. That broke the old Illinois State and National Age Group records in the event.
The old 11-12 National Age Group Record was a 1:02.86 done by Minnesota-native and future Texas Longhorn Olivia Anderson in 2010.
Hayes took her swim out in 29.52 and came home in 33.11. Her previous best of 1:06.01 was set in December at a mid-season meet.
While Hayes currently holds 4 National Age Group Records in long course meters (as a 10 & under), this is her lone national record in yards. Her long course efforts include an 8 day period in 2016 where she broke 5 long course records.
In other swims at this week’s meet, Hayes also raced to a 1:49.16 in the 200 free, and still has 5 more races at this weekend’s meet: the 50, 100, and 200 frees, the 200 IM, and the 50 breaststroke. Her 200 free time is also a State Record.
Hayes trains with the Fox Valley Park District Riptides in suburban Chicago.
I know it’s a stock photo accompanying this club news article but there is not one swimmer in the photo doing breaststroke. There’s a pair of legs in lane 3 from the left at the bottom of the photo that could be finishing up a breaststroke kick, but it’s not conclusive. Out of respect for the article’s breaststroker, show some frog-kicking short axis stroking.
I was on that team. She’s an amazing swimmer and great friend.?
Illinois championships held in Wisconsin 😆
Congrats. She was a star in the 10 and under age category. Now she attacks the 11/12 records. Versatile swimmer.
Hahaha I thought the title said she broke and 8 and under state record. I saw 1:02 and I almost pissed myself.
Me too lol!!
I had the same reaction! I was shocked.