The next generation of distance swimmers has stepped up in the Potomac Valley, with FISH 12-year old Isabella Rongione ready to step-up and take over for the current elite group of 14-16 year old middle distance freestylers.
This past weekend, at a home meet, Rangione broke Becca Mann’s 800 free National Age Group Record for 11-12’s by two seconds: posting an 8:55.44. The old record had stood since 2010, where Mann swam an 8:57.07. (The record is still pending final application and approval by USA Swimming).
Rongione has received new motivation in the last few months, with the return to the FISH of Kate Ziegler, who is still one of the fastest 800 freestylers in history, to train under coach Ray Benecki.
This meet (along with a 4:22.35 in the 400 free) gave Rongione her first Winter Nationals cut at the age of 12, helping her beat a long-stated goal of achieving a Senior Nationals time earlier than Ziegler did at 13. Rongione is way ahead of Ziegler’s pace at 12 – the elder FISH swimmer didn’t really bloom until she was 13 (though she exploded then). As an 11-12, she hadn’t even broken 10 minutes in this 800 free.
How did Becca Mann get so fast?
I was at that meet, that was still an incredible swim.
Not tainted but maybe not as fast as others in the 11-12 age group.
no offense to her but records in the 800 didn’t start until after janet et al were passed 12 so a little tainted.