10-year old Claire Tuggle of the Yosemite Marlins’ Swim Team has rocked a second National Age Group Record in three weeks, and unlike her last long course record, this one was a no-doubter.
Tuggle swam a 4:37.41 in the 400 long course meter freestyle, which knocked five seconds off of the old record of 4:42.40 that was set by Olympian Elizabeth Beisel in 2003.
On Tuggle’s personal tally, this is only the 3rd time Tuggle has officially swum the 400 free, and is 11 seconds better than her prior best time. Much of that improvement is likely attributed to increased experience in the race, but she swam a 4:48 three weeks ago at the same meet where she broke the National Age Group Record in the 200 meter freestyle.
She’s not swimming the 200 free at the Fresno Dolphins Invitational this week, but is scheduled to swim the 100 fly, 50 back, 200 IM, 50 fly, and 100 free.
Tuggle, who is nearing her 11th birthday, has now broken National Age Group Records in the 200 and 500 yard frees, plus the 200 and 400 meter frees, since April.
Does any one know of a study complete regarding elementary age NAG record holders and their adult swimming carriers in college?
Jepower – it all depends on what agenda you’re trying to achieve when you define “success.” USA Swimming did a light study on the likelihood that young top16 swimmers were still top16 swimmers when they were older, but of course that’s slanted to encourage swimmers to keep swimming, even if they’re not very good when they’re young.
A vast majority of National Age Group Record holders go on to have, at a minimum, very successul college careers. I don’t think there’s been a great full-length study on it, but that’s in part because of generally terrible historical record-keeping in swimming.
GIRL ON FIRE
Congrats.
Race video please.
I’ve found a local press article about that young champion after SCY Far Western championships in April.
http://www.sierrastar.com/2015/04/22/72685/national-splash.html#storylink=misearch