What an exciting summer it has been for boys 13-14 relays. There has been a flurry of national age group records among such teams as Irvine NovAquatics and Cincinnati Marlins (successively breaking the 800 free relay); Irvine NovAquatics (400 free relay); and Irvine NovAquatics and Washington Township (successively breaking the 200 free relay).
On Sunday, two hours after breaking the national age group record in the boys 13-14 400 free relay, the Irvine NovAquatics boys were back with a new mark: 7:58.03 to win back the title of the 800 free relay from Cincinnati Marlins. Swimming at Mission Viejo on Relay Day of Southern California Swimming’s Junior Olympics, the NovAquatics’ Owen Kao, Justin Nguyen, Andrew Koustik, and Hunter Hitchens turned in a blazing 7:58.03 to reclaim the national age group record for 13-14 boys 800 free relay.
NovAquatics had 800 originally broken it a month ago with 8:00.81at Southern California Swimming’s June Age Group meet. That surpassed the 2010 mark of 8:04.91 set by Mission Viejo Nadadores’ Matthew Chalcarz, Patrick Early, Connor Dobbs, and Janardan Burns. Three weeks later, the Cincinnati Marlins knocked NOVA off the pedestal with their 7:58.64 swim at the Ohio Junior Olympic Championships at Miami University. Determined to end the summer with the NAG crown the NovAquatics boys came back with an even faster time: 7:58.03.
NOVA’s splits on 7/27/2014:
Owen Kao,14 – 26.44-29.38-30.58-30.08 = 1:56.48
Justin Nguyen, 14 – 26.97-30.63-31.82-31.71 = 2:01.13
Andrew Koustik, 14 – 27.93-31.67-32.20-31.43 = 2:03.23
Hunter Hitchens, 14 – 27.14-30.12-30.57-29.36 = 1:57.19
Here is a side-by-side comparison of NOVA’s two record-breaking swims this summer:
| 7/27/2014 | 6/28/2014 | |
| Owen Kao | 1:56.48 | 1:56.51 |
| Justin Nguyen | 2:01.13 | 2:01.71 |
| Andrew Koustik | 2:03.23 | 2:03.43 |
| Hunter Hitchens | 1:57.19 | 1:59.16 |
| Final time | 7:58.03 | 8:00.81 |
By comparison, the Cincinnati Marlins split it:
Justin Grender – 1:59.34
Nicholas Perera – 1:58.07
Jake Foster – 2:03.56
Josh McDonald – 1:57.67
Final time – 7:58.64
What is amazing about this group of boys is that they are all quite short for their age, and they beat teams with far bigger bodies. They have proven that height does not mean anything without heart in swimming. They won not by size, but by grit, hard work, and technique.
What an amazing race and accomplishment for these guys! We are so happy and proud of them. They believed and achieved! Looking forward to watching what they do in SCY.
Congratulations Boys….you were all amazing out there…..Go NOVA!!!
Congratulations to these young men. Why does USA Swimming not introduce mixed age-group relays? Is it because of the history of these type of national records being traditional? FINA announced last year that mixed relays were to be introduced at World Swimming Championships featuring two men and two women.
Swimming needs this type of news, it’s what makes the excitement levels go through the roof, and it’s why swimming is one of the most exhilarating sports out there.
Boys had some real speed on those splits! It’ll be interesting to see what’s in store come short course season this fall. Are they all still in the 13-14 age group this fall?