Thanks to Lyle Campbell for contributing to this report.
It’s been a good night for KING Aquatic Club at the Pacific Northwest Championships. Not only did their 17-18 girls relay lower their own national mark, 12-year-old Ethan Dang broke the 11-12 100 breaststroke record, becoming the first American 12-year-old under 1:09.
Dang went 1:08.96 to crack the record just about two weeks after missing the mark by .01 at the Mark Prothero Invitational. Dang got under the mark this time by improving his front half, and though the back 50 split slipped just slightly, he still had enough to knock down the mark.
Here’s a comparison of his splits from the two races:
- Mark Prothero Invite: 32.88/36.61 – 1:09.49
- PN Championships: 32.23/36.73 – 1:08.96
The previous record was 1:09.48 set by Maverick Smalley back in 2000.
Dang has been hot on the record trail all weekend. He demolished his own 200 breast NAG on Thursday night, taking a full second off that record.
Smaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaash.
Wow, what a final. Not only do you have a 12 year old swimming 1:08, but 1:13 and 1:14 for second and third place? In an 11-12 event? And it took a 1:19 to break into the top 5? Unreal how fast these kids are swimming vs. even just a few years ago — and it’s not just the quality but the depth of age group talent is astonishing. The future of US swimming is bright, indeed.
Yes. Plus there is another boy who just turned 13 two months ago who went a 1:09;.2 in the 13-14 final. Dang will have a lot of local talent to test him in the future!
It doesn’t look like Ethan is particularly tall or strong for a 12 year old. His speed seems to come from talent, technical excellence and hard work. Congrat’s Ethan!
Ethan competes in the 200 I.m. and 50 breast today!
Race video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8NBoRfaVYs&list=UUTv72bIIaFEAUD2vlG4Z75A
Thanks for the video! His stroke has great balance.
Congrats!
11/12 year-old US boys are on fire!
I have a medley relay idea.
Put Destin Lasco on backstroke, Ethan Dang on breaststroke, Isaac Grinberg on butterfly and Winn Aung on freestyle!
It should be fast! 🙂