Most Impressive National Age Group Records Nonetheless Standing

Most Impressive National Age Group Records That Remain Standing (Men)

A latest Swimming World characteristic took a have a look at a number of the most spectacular National Age Group (NAG) data produced – and nonetheless standing – by feminine athletes. Olympic champions Katie Ledecky and Mary T. Meagher headlined the checklist, which additionally included tributes to requirements held by Missy Franklin, Regan Smith, Sippy Woodhead and Claire Curzan.

Women’s Article

Now, it’s time to honor the lads’s NAG data. We’ll start with long-course performances, with a short-course version produced within the close to future. As was the case with the ladies’s data, the names listed signify a Who’s-Who of superstars within the sport. We’re speaking multi-time Olympic champions and members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Like any opinion-based work, there are certain to be disagreements. Feel free to touch upon a report you felt ought to have been included.

Note: We chosen one NAG report per athlete. Multiple swimmers may have been chosen throughout a number of occasions.

Age Group (11-12)

Chas Morton (100-Meter Butterfly: 58.74) – 1983

Chas Morton, 1985. Photo Courtesy: Swimming World

When the subject of age-group stars is mentioned, Chas Morton’s identify is nearly instantly provided into the dialog. Morton is taken into account one of many most interesting age-groupers of all-time, maybe No. 1. His lone remaining NAG commonplace has been on the books since 1983, when the 12-year-old clocked a 58.74 efficiency within the 100 butterfly. The No. 2 time within the occasion trails Morton by almost a second at 59.54.

Age Group (13-14)

Michael Phelps (200-Meter Butterfly: 1:59.02) – 2000

Just a number of months earlier than he completed fifth within the 200 butterfly on the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Michael Phelps popped a swim of 1:59.02 within the occasion that launched his Hall of Fame profession. A 14-year-old going almost a second underneath the two-minute barrier is tough to grasp, however Phelps’ greatness was evident early on and he clearly fulfilled his large promise. For this job, Phelps may have appeared in a number of locations, together with within the 17-18 class for the 200 particular person medley (1:55.94) and 400 IM (4:09.09).

Age Group (15-16)

Bobby Hackett (1500-Meter Freestyle: 15:03.91) – 1976

The Golden Anniversary of Bobby Hackett’s 1500 freestyle outing of 15:03.91 will likely be celebrated subsequent 12 months, and that reality alone speaks to the legendary nature of this report. Where did the 16-year-old produce this efficiency? How concerning the Olympic Games in Montreal? Hackett claimed the silver medal behind countryman Brian Goodell, who was somewhat greater than a second faster in a world report of 15:02.40. Hackett and bronze medalist Stephen Holland of Australia had been additionally underneath the earlier world report of 15:06.66.

Luka Mijatovic (200-Meter Freestyle: 1:45.92) – 2025

The latest report on this checklist was set only a few months in the past. When Luka Mijatovic went 1:45.92 at U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, he didn’t simply break the NAG report within the 15-16 classification. His time can also be sooner than the 17-18 commonplace within the occasion, held by Michael Phelps. Mijatovic may have been chosen for this checklist in quite a few occasions, and it looks as if further NAG marks are probably sooner or later.

Thomas Heilman (200-Meter Butterfly: 1:53.82) – 2023

Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

Like Luka Mijatovic, we may have slotted Thomas Heilman’s identify right into a handful of locations on this checklist. But his 1:53.82 effort within the 200 butterfly from the 2023 World Championships will get the nod. Historically, solely 4 Americans have cracked the 1:54 barrier within the occasion, and Heilman completed the feat as a 16-year-old. His time in Fukuoka simply missed the rostrum, as he tied with Canadian Ilya Kharun for fourth place.

Age Group (17-18)

Aaron Peirsol (200-Meter Backstroke: 1:55.15) – 2002

At the 2002 Spring Nationals, Aaron Peirsol achieved what was lengthy anticipated from the backstroke phenom: He broke a world report. Peirsol registered a time of 1:55.15 whereas racing in Minneapolis, a swim that minimize .72 off Lenny Krayzelburg’s 1999 international commonplace. Through the years, Peirsol’s NAG has withstood a handful of challenges, together with threats from Michael Phelps and Ryan Murphy.