Splashing into Success: Highlights from Age Group Swimming This Week (12/21/2024)

Through our Weekly Wonders of Age Group Swimming series, we highlight athletes of varying ages and experience with profiles of recent performances.

Seth Morgan, 16, Rocky Mount Family YMCA (NC): Morgan achieved four personal best times at the 31st Annual Arena Capital Classic in Cary, N.C., showcasing exceptional swims in the breaststroke events. He recorded a time of 54.11 in the 100 breast, placing him in a tie for 34th all-time in the boys’ 15-16 age category, while his 1:58.99 in the 200 breast currently ranks 76th all-time in the age group history. Both performances represented significant advancements, as the 16-year-old arrived at the competition with a personal best of 56.63 in the 100 breast and 2:02.52 in the 200 breast. Additionally, he set personal records in the 400 IM (4:04.89) and 1650 free (16:25.77).

Denzo Senekal, 14, Blue Dolfins (FL): Senekal had an extraordinary outing at Winter Juniors – East, advancing in the all-time rankings for the boys’ 13-14 age group across all four events he participated in. He achieved the 18th all-time ranking in the 500 free with a time of 4:28.67, also securing the number one position in the age group this season. Furthermore, he attained the top spot this season in the 200 free (1:39.67), which ranks tied for 30th all-time, and added performances of 50.14 in the 100 back (51st all-time, #4 this season) and 1:48.78 in the 200 back (t-34th all-time, #3 this season).

Lauren Lonsdale, 12, Sacramento Aquatics Club (SN): Lonsdale triumphed in all 10 events she entered and shattered eight meet records (along with 10 personal bests) at the Holiday Swim Festival in Tempe, Arizona, in early December, breaking into the top 20 all-time in the girls’ 11-12 age category in three events. She registered a time of 1:51.13 in the 200 free, ranking 8th all-time, and achieved 4:56.49 in the 500 free, placing 17th. In the 400 IM, her performance of 4:25.89 ranks 16th all-time for the age group. Lonsdale also logged impressive times in the 100 free (52.28), 1650 free (17:19.20), 200 back (2:04.21), 100 IM (59.68), and 200 IM (2:06.38), all of which rank in the top 100 all-time for the age group.

Aidin Muminovic, 15, NOVA of Virginia Aquatics (VA): Muminovic engaged in a demanding schedule at the TAC Blizzard Blitz last weekend, achieving five personal best records. His standout performance occurred in the 100 fly, where he clocked 48.49, ranking 9th this season among 15-year-old boys, and surpassing his former best of 49.85 set last year. He also registered a time of 20.76 in the 50 free to tie for 8th among 15-year-old boys this season, 1:39.72 in the 200 free, ranking 14th, 1:50.78 in the 200 IM, also ranking 14th, and 50.09 in the 100 back, ranking 20th.

Coyle Moore, 14, Tide Swimming (VA): Competing at the TAC Blizzard Blitz alongside his peers, Moore excelled in freestyle events, achieving personal bests of 20.97 in the 50, 45.72 in the 100, and 1:39.87 in the 200 free, securing victories in the boys’ 13-14 age group. These times place him at 47th, 36th, and 40th all-time within the age category, respectively, and at 3rd, 2nd, and 3rd this season. The 14-year-old Tide Swimming athlete also improved his marks in the 100 back (52.39), 200 IM (1:55.15), and 400 IM (4:08.76).

Veronica Metz, 14, Wahoo’s of Wellington (FG): Metz remained unbeaten at the 34th Annual Winter Championships in Plantation, Florida, achieving personal bests in six competitions. The 14-year-old notably attained Futures cuts in the 200 fly (2:04.97) and 400 IM (4:27.92), and also qualified for Winter Juniors with a time of 17:00.53 in the 1650 free. Additionally, she notched personal bests in the 200 free (1:52.97), 100 IM (59.37), and 200 IM (2:07.56).

Michael Wiszenko, 16, YMCA of Greater Monmouth County (NJ): Wiszenko established a new Sayreville War Memorial High School Record in the boys’ 100 back last weekend, posting a time of 53.74, breaking the 13-year-old record of 55.10 set by Peter Dufrat in 2011. His previous personal best stood at 55.51.