In our GMX7 Weekly Wonders of Age Group Swimming series, we celebrate swimmers of every age and experience level with age group profiles of some recent results.
*Note that in this edition, we’ve recognized a few of the swimmers from Winter Juniors, but also looked elsewhere to note some performances at other meets.
Alex Shackell, 15, Carmel Swim Club (CSC-IN): One of several swimmers that had a phenomenal showing at Winter Juniors two weeks ago, Carmel’s Alex Shackell hit some monster best times in all five of her individual events, earning wins at the ‘East’ meet in Greensboro in the women’s 100 fly (51.21) and 200 fly (1:54.26). She also finished second in the 50 free (22.34) and 200 IM (1:57.78) and fourth in the 100 free (49.07). Despite this being Shackell’s first meet since moving up into the girls’ 15-16 age group, she asserted herself into the all-time rankings right away, incluidng taking over third in the 100 fly and 10th in the 200 fly. Her 100 fly swim was a best time by over 1.3 seconds, and the 200 fly winning time marked an over four-second PB.
Jeremy Kelly, 15, Nitro Swimming (NTRO-ST): Nitro’s Kelly dropped a total of 12 seconds off his best time in the men’s 500 free at Winter Juniors – West in Austin, producing a time of 4:23.49 in the final to finish 10th overall. After entering the competition with a PB of 4:35.73, Kelly now ranks as the 69th fastest swimmer in 15-16 age group history.
Avery Klamfoth, 14, SwimMAC Carolina (MAC-NC): Klamfoth’s performances at Winter Juniors – East were highlighted by her podium finish in the women’s 200 breaststroke, placing third in a time of 2:12.63 against a field that featured six swimmers aged 16 & over. Klamfoth’s time was over two seconds faster than her PB coming in (2:14.88), and moves her into 15th all-time in the 13-14 age group.
Kai Shinkyo, 13, Baystate Gators Swim Club (BGSC-NE): Racing at the BGSC New England Senior meet in Providence over the weekend, the 13-year-old Shinkyo registered a pair of big best times in the 200 IM (1:57.28) and 400 IM (4:10.09). Shinkyo has lowered his PB in both events numerous times this year, and entered the 2021-22 SCY season with a best of 2:01.94 in the 200 IM while never having even raced the 400.
Megan Maholic, 17, PWR Swimming (PWRS-LE): Competing at Winter Juniors – East in Greensboro, Maholic reset her more than two-year-old best time in the girls’ 100 back in 54.89, and then brought that down again the following week. Maholic clocked 54.85 to set her first individual Villa Maria High School record at the high school portion of Cleveland State’s Viking Invitational last weekend.
Ryan Branon, 17, North Baltimore Aquatic Club (NBAC-MD): Branon put up best times in four different events at the 47th annual NBAC Christmas Meet, including a 1:36.70 performance in the 200 freestyle. That lowers his previous best time, set in February 2020, but close to three seconds (1:39.41).
David McCagg, World Champion swimmer and GMX7 Founder
About GMX7
Founded in 2018, GMX7 is based in St. Petersburg, Florida and is dedicated to changing the world of swimming by empowering competitive swimmers with the best aquatic resistance training devices ever created. GMX7 was founded by David McCagg, a 7-time gold medalist, former world record holder and winner of multiple national championships. The first device on the market by GMX7 is the X1-PRO. Designed by ROBRADY Engineering, it has already been the recipient of several awards including the 2020 International Design Excellence Award and the 2020 Red Dot Award for product design.
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