In one day, at two different meets on the East Coast of the United States, we saw two of the fastest 200 yard freestyles by 13-14 boys in history.
First, Michael Jensen from the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club swam a 1:39.64 at the Tom Dolan Invitational, putting himself temporarily 5th on the all-time age group list.
He was one-upped in Knoxville at Winter Juniors, though, by Maxime Rooney of the Pleasanton Seahawks, who was a 1:38.42 for 5th overall in that race: knocking half-a-second off of Nick Silverthorn’s 1:38.94 National Age Group Record from 2010. Silverthorn is also a Pleasanton Seahawk: keeping the record in the family.
Rooney had a very impressive back-half of this race, opening in 47.9 and closing in 50.4 – a mature swim for a young swimmer.
It has been a great week for the Seahawks: high school’er Celina Li won her first Sr. National title in the 200 IM, and then their 11-12’s broke a National Age Group Record last weekend in the 200 yard medley relay.
The winner of that 200 free was Davie Nadadores’ Dylan Carter in 1:35.29; that was faster than the National Age Group Record in that race too for 15-16’s, though with dual citizenship it’s unclear yet if the swim will count.
Impressive swim to witness
I am very happy and proud for Maxime’s success and hope always for his greater success to come!!! Congratulations Maxime!!! More Power to YOU!!!
Well, what’s the oldest team out there Santa Clara. I believe it was formed in the 1950’s.
Washington Athletic Club in Seattle was formed in the 1930’s under the great coach Ray Daughters who coached such greats as Helene Madison, Jack Medica and Nancy Ramey. Daughters had 30 World Records, 301 American Records. Ray coached the US Olympic Team in four consecutive Olympic Games: 1936, 1948, 1952, and 1956
Thomas Anderson of King Aquatic Club in Federal Way, WA swam a 49.39 in the 100 yard backstroke for 13-14 year olds at the Pacific Northwest Swimming Championships. Has another chance to break the NAG record of 49.20 in leadoff leg of 4×100 medley relay this a.m.
Some of these times so ridiculously fast it’s hard to believe. I mean a 1:38.4 200 free for a 14 year old?
Sheeeesh!
And Maxime Rooney takes the NAG record from Nick Silverthorn who is also from the Pleasanton Seahawks. It stays at home.