Maximus Williamson Rips 1:33.07 200 Freestyle, Breaks Boys’ 15-16 NAG Record

SPEEDO WINTER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – WEST

It’s the firs session of the 2022 Winter Juniors – West meet, but swimmers wasted no time getting off to a fast start. Leading off Lakeside Aquatic Club’s boys’ 800 freestyle relay, 16-year old Maximus Williamson set a new 15-16 National Age Group record in the 200 freestyle.

Williamson, who recently switched teams from the North Texas Natadores and joined Lakeside, ripped 1:33.07, clipping Drew Kibler‘s record of 1:33.10, which had stood since 2017. Coming into the day, Williamson’s lifetime best was 1:34.97, meaning he chopped 1.9 seconds off his time with this swim.

At this meet last year, Williamson hit a personal best leading off the 1:35.70. That means that in a year, he’s cut 2.63 seconds off his lifetime best.

Williamson – 2022 Winter Juniors Williamson – 2022 Speedo Sectionals Williamson – 2021 Winter Juniors
50 21.51 21.42 21.68
100 45.05 (23.54) 45.25 (23.88) 45.79 (24.11)
150 1:09.19 (24.14) 1:10.04 (24.79) 1:10.45 (24.66)
200 1:33.07 (23.88) 1:34.97 (24.93) 1:35.70 (25.25)

His splits from these three key races during the last year highlight how much Williamson has improved in a short time span. That’s especially evident on his final 50. At 2022 Winter Juniors, he split 23.88 on his last 50, compared to the 25.25 he split at this time last year. That makes a 1.37 second improvement in his final 50 yards alone.

This is Wiliamson’s first 15-16 NAG in yards. In long course meters, he owns the 200 IM 15-16 NAG in 1:59.01, which he set earlier this year. Williamson has recently turned 16; this summer, he joined Michael Phelps as the only 15-year-old American boy to break 4:20 in the 400 IM. 

The boys’ freestyle races, particularly the sprints, already looked like some of the most exciting races on paper heading into the meet. Williamson’s new record only heightens that potential. We were on NAG watch for him in the IMs, but this makes the individual 200 freestyle race between him, Nate Germonprezand Rex Maurer even more exciting. On the 800 freestyle relay this session, Maurer split 1:33.42.

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Andrew
1 year ago

Maximus Williamson to SMU confirmed?

Swimgeek
1 year ago

Team USA Men for Los Angeles 2028 gonna be amazing

Davide
Reply to  Swimgeek
1 year ago

Are Heilman/Williamson/Diehl the most talented U.S. trio born over a 3 year span since Phelps/Lochte/Peirsol ?
I’m not American but it definitely looks like that

swom
Reply to  Davide
1 year ago

Also Kai Winkler

Pet Rock Owner
1 year ago

Just a note: Jacob Wimberly led off in 1:34.00, Cooper Lucas split a 1:34.1, and Keaton Jones split a 1:33 in his relay

This 200 free will be fun to watch

James
1 year ago

Are you not entertained!!?

Old School GA
1 year ago

Maximus!!
Well done. Congratulations.

PFA
1 year ago

Yeah I think Carson’s National HS record is going down this season. There’s about 3 or 4 guys who have/had a shot to break it this year. Heilman, Williamson, Diehl?, and Winkler.

swom
Reply to  PFA
1 year ago

Winkler already swam hs this season

Wanna Sprite?
1 year ago

Diehl might go under

Former coach
Reply to  Wanna Sprite?
1 year ago

Great. He’s 17

homey looking skinny
Reply to  Wanna Sprite?
1 year ago

i prefer fanta

About Sophie Kaufman

Sophie Kaufman

Sophie grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, which means yes, she does root for the Bruins, but try not to hold that against her. At 9, she joined her local club team because her best friend convinced her it would be fun. Shoulder surgery ended her competitive swimming days long ago, …

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