Leah Hayes of USA Athletic Club Tidal Waves Swim Team in Aurora, Illinois captured another National Age Group record on Saturday afternoon at the Illinois Age Group Long Course Championships, which is currently taking place in Pleasant Prarie, Wisconsin (and you thought the NFL going to London was funky).
After capturing the NAG record in the 200 free last night, Hayes dropped 0.63 from her entry time to post a 28.33 and become the fastest 10 & Under girl in USA Swimming history in the 50 meter freestyle. The previous record, established last year by Miriam Sheehan, stood at a 28.52. Sheehan still holds the 10 & Under NAG records in the 50 and 100 backstroke, and 50 and 100 butterfly (all LCM).
The full session can be viewed here, with Hayes’ 50 free taking place at the 41:38 mark of the video. Hayes’ accomplishment is highlighted during the awards ceremony (52:00), but Hayes sends a friend to accept on her behalf. A link to the event page can also be found here.
Hayes’ other swims this weekend include:
- 200 free — 2:14.87 (NAG Record)
- 100 fly — 1:11.38
- 100 breast — 1:20.68
- 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 meet kicked off on Thursday and will be wrapping up tomorrow, Sunday, July 31st. On the final day of competition Hayes will compete in the 400 free, her only event, where she is the top seed.
How do a 28.33 flat start and a 27.66 rolling start compare for a 10 year ole girl?
Way to go Leah!! So proud of you.
Is there a reason for the shaved head?
Leah has Alopecia Universalis, an auto-immune condition. As you can see she is very comfortable and has embraced it. http://www.naaf.org
It would be interning to know if she is on steroids for this. This may not be illegal at age ten, but could be a huge contributing factor to her current strength. I have seen her swim. She is double the size of the average ten year old and her parents are not that big.
Congrats. Cool to see another summer of many NAG records broken.
Leah Hayes can be on her first major international meet as early as 2020 Tokyo where she may snag a relay alternate spot having broken countless NAG along the way.
Why pick on a 10 year old? She showed up, she swam and did her best. Great accomplishment. End of story. She may be great, she may peak. But she’s 10. Leave her and her accomplishment alone.
Vive LePen!
I must admit that watching Leah swim is truly amazing. Her dive and distance off the block is incredible. Once she gets into her stroke pattern and rate, you can see that is is unique and extremely talented. It will be interesting to see what happens as she ages up. In the meantime, congratulations on TWO national records!
Leah Hayes will be the superstar of 2024 Los Angeles Olympics.
She will win gold medals and destroy world records.
You need to stop, it’s really annoying. Getting a NAG is an amazing accomplishment, that’s all that needs to be said.
Thank you. Geez!
World Records! I like that!
#TimeMatters
I’m pretty sure no 10 and under NAG record holder has made a USA Olympic team I mean a NAG is amazing but not necessarily an indication of future greatness especially at such a young age that being said 28.33 is flying!!
“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. Prior to Tuggle, the record belonged to two-time Olympian and 2012 Olympic silver medalist Elizabeth Beisel.”
Matt Grevers … aha moment!
Michael phelps turned out pretty good
BackstrokerLCM – this is a myth we intend to debunk violently when we free up some time after the Olympics – one used to sell USA Swimming memberships – but it’s not even close to true. Most of the 10 & under records are currently held by swimmers too young to be Olympians, but among those who are old enough – Lia Neal is an Olympian, Ella Eastin is an American Record holder and on her way to be an Olympian. Beisel held multiple records. And the great be-all, end-all, Michael Phelps was a 10 & under National Age Group Record holder. I’m sure there’s many, many more, but we’ll dig into that further in the future (it’s not super… Read more »
Thank you. I don’t want to spreading false info. And also for the record those times she’s throwing down are legit don’t want to take away from that
Matt Grevers
Michael Phelps ( Maybe)
I could be wrong but didn’t Missy Franklin get 10 and unders nag? Maybe that was 11 and 12.
Not saying this girl will make the team.
I love the optimism but that’s looking way too far ahead. So much can change in the coming years. Idk if you swam or not, but throughout my career you see a lot of guys/girls in the top 16 at age 10 that don’t even make it to college…enjoy the moment but olympics is a big guess
11 year old did 27.07 at Canadian Age Nationals
So true I believe in her she can do this!!!