Breaking Waves: Fresh Records Set at New England Senior Swim Championships

New England Senior Championships

The New England Senior Championships were held in late December, with three new LSC records showcased in the realm of swift swimming.

Sixteen-year-old Mena Boardman, a Texas recruit from Commonwealth Swimming, maintained her record-shattering season with another LSC 15-16 and Open record in the girls’ 50 freestyle. Her finishing time of 22.27 surpassed Jenny Thompson’s 35-year-old 15-16 record of 22.66 set in 1989. She also eclipsed the Open record of 22.56 established by Rhi Jeffrey, another Olympic champion, in 2014. Although this timing wasn’t a personal best for Boardman, who touched the wall at 22.22 in March while competing in Oregon, it still marked her as 4th in the nation for her age category this season.

This marked Boardman’s third LSC record within this month. She had previously broken the 100 fly and 100 back records at Winter Juniors just a few weeks earlier. The 100 back record had been held by another swimming legend, established by Elizabeth Beisel in 2008.

Sarah Zhang, a 14-year-old from Revolution Aquatic Club, set another individual record. She clocked in at 2:14.75 in the 200 breaststroke, surpassing the former record of 2:14.77 set by Laura Sogar in 2006. Her new time was three-tenths quicker than her 2:15.08 recorded at Winter Juniors earlier that month.

Ultimately, the Commonwealth Current Mixed 200 medley relay shattered both the 15-18 and Open records. The team comprising Brianna Cong, George Groves, Mena Boardman, and Rudd Day posted a time of 1:35.14, breaking the record of 1:36.06 achieved by Solo Aquatics in 2022.

New England Swimming also reported a mile record established by William Mulgrew from Shawmut Aquatic Club. Mulgrew swam the event in 14:52.61, beating the previous record of 14:56.60 held by Josh Parent since 2022. Although Mulgrew broke the 17-18 LSC record, he did so at a different meet. He achieved a time of 14:50.97 to secure first place at the East Winter Juniors just the week prior. Additionally, Mulgrew holds the New England all-time record for the event with a time of 14:48.26 set in December 2023 as a 16-year-old.

Other Noteworthy Performances:

• Eli Henley, representing Greenwood swimming, improved his times in five events during his second competition as a 13-year-old. He achieved new personal bests in the 100 free (50.37), 100 breast (59.53), 200 breast (2:12.93), 200 fly (2:01.12), and the 200 IM (2:01.13).
• Fifteen-year-old Jonathan Feole-Haughey from Crimson Aquatics set personal bests across all four of his events. Haughey competed in the 100 back (49.02), 200 back (1:45.54), 100 fly (49.84), and 200 fly (1:53.28). His performance in the 200 back secured him the 7th position in the 15-16 boys rankings this season.
• Quinn White, a 17-year-old from Shawmut Aquatic Club, achieved personal bests in the 1000 free (9:53.95), 200 IM (2:00.03), 200 back (1:55.39), and 100 back (53.38). She also clinched victory in the 500 freestyle in 4:50.06, just shy of her best time of 4:49.29.