Duncan Henderson’s 100 Back (50.16) Highlights 15th Annual Speedo High Desert Classic

2022 NM Speedo High Desert

• Nov. 17-20
• Albuquerque, NM
• SCY (25 yards)
• Results on MeetMobile: “15th Annual Speedo High Desert Classic”

Duncan Henderson clocked a top-five time this season among 15-year-old boys with his 50.16 100 back at last month’s 15th Annual Speedo High Desert Classic.

The 15-year-old BEAST Aquatic Club standout shaved nearly a second off his previous best from March to rank as the fifth-fastest performer this season for his age. Henderson also posted a top-20 time in the 200 back, where he went 1:51.32 in prelims to rank 15th for his age this season. His third personal best of the meet came in the 50 back, where he reached the wall in 23.98.

Henderson’s BEAST teammate, 13-year-old Saaya Bhakta, pieced together an impressive all-around performance. She tallied six wins and one runner-up finish in her seven events, including five personal bests. Bhakta registered lifetime bests in the 100 free (55.12), 100 back (59.50), 100 fly (59.56), 200 IM (2:14.53), and 200 free (2:02.69), where she placed second. BEAST topped the girls’ standings, finishing second overall behind Charger Aquatics.

Mark Cecco led Charger with seven victories in all events he entered. The versatile 14-year-old left with new lifetime bests in the 50 free (22.28), 100 free (49.68), 500 free (5:01.91), 100 back (54.73), and 200 IM (2:02.25).

Chargers teammate Gabriel Cruz, 11, was another standout. He blazed a 1:02.86 in the 100 back, becoming the seventh-fastest performer this season for his age. In the 50 free, Cruz became the 10th-fastest this season with a 25.40 in the 50 free. He clocked another top-20 time in the 200 IM, where he now ranks 20th with a 2:20.41. Cruz added a fourth personal best with a 57.81 in the 100 free.

Team Standings

Combined

1. Charger Aquatics – 1,132.5
2. BEAST Aquatics – 911
3. Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics – 290.5
4. Duke City Barracuda – 227
5. Las Cruces Aquatic Team – 188
6. SlipStream Aquatics – 166
7. Roadrunners of Albuquerque Aquatics – 135
8. Los Alamos Aquatomics – 113
9. Artesia Aquatic Club – 78.5
10. Durango Swim Club – 73

Boys

1. Charger Aquatics – 666
2. BEAST Aquatics – 306
3. Duke City Barracuda – 202
4. Las Cruces Aquatic Team – 99
5. Los Alamos Aquatomics – 91
6. Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics – 80
7. Roadrunners of Albuquerque Aquatics – 76
8. Artesia Aquatic Club – 69
9. Durango Swim Club – 56
10. MAKO Aquatic Club – 16

Girls

1. BEAST Aquatics – 605
2. Charger Aquatics – 466.5
3. Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics – 210.5
4. SlipStream Aquatics – 161
5. Las Cruces Aquatic Team – 89
6. Roadrunners of Albuquerque Aquatics – 59
7. MAKO Aquatic Club – 48.5
8. ABQ Dolphins Swimming Team – 32
9. Duke City Barracuda – 25
10. Los Alamos Aquatomics – 22