Freya Anderson Breaks British Age Record in 50 Fly in Sunderland

16-year old Freya Anderson of the Ellesmere College Titans won the 50 meters butterfly last week at the Sunderland National Qualifier, and in the process broke the British National Age Record in the event.

Anderson’s time was a 27.12 in the morning session, which slid under the 27.37 done by Laura Stephens at the 2016 European Championships. Her next target will now be the 17-year olds record set by recently-retired British star Fran Halsall, who was a 26.74 back in 2014. Anderson’s time ranks her 5th over the last year among British swimmers of all ages.

At the meet, Anderson also swam a lifetime best in the 50 free (25.59), which ranks her 3rd among all-ages in this year’s British Rankings behind Anna Hopkin (25.23) and Lucy Hope (25.54). That swim makes her the 3rd-fastest British 16-year old in the history of the event.

The 2017 British Swimming Championships, which will be a selection meet for the 2017 World Championships, among other events, run from April 18th-23rd at Ponds Forge in Sheffield. Anderson’s 54.72 in the 100 free gives her the top entry time in that event at the championship.