The 13-14 division of USA Swimming is one that’s mostly been ruled by Michael Andrew, the youngster who set over half (16 of 28) of the age bracket’s National Age Group records over the past two years.
But here’s a testament to just how fast the level of age group swimming is currently rising: Andrew hasn’t been out of the 13-14 division for even 6 months yet and already one of his records has been broken.
Reece Whitley has been a force of his own in the 13-14s as of late, battling with Andrew for the sprint breaststroking NAGs. Whitley, just about a year younger than Andrew, got a shot at the long course 100 this weekend and didn’t waste his opportunity. Whitley went 1:03.82 to take just .01 off of the old NAG record.
(Check out the race video here)
But the hardcore swimming didn’t stop there. In fact, Whitley took things to another level entirely with his 200 breast, which happened earlier in the meet. Already the NAG record-holder, the 6’6″ Whitley blasted not one, not two, but three seconds off his old mark, taking the 13-14 record down to a ridiculous 2:16.48.
In all, Whitley has taken 4 full seconds off of the old NAG record, and still might have more in the tank – rumor has it he was on a short, two-day rest for these Middle Atlantic Senior Championships.
If that’s true, then Whitley, who doesn’t age up until January, could wind up taking this record to some incredible places.
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Dynamo from this outstanding swimmer. Took 3 sec off his original nag Hardcore to say the least..