2021 CA SPEEDO GRAND CHALLENGE
- May 28-31, 2021
- Woollett Aquatic Center, Irvine, CA
- LCM (50m)
- Results on MeetMobile
La Mirada Armada’s Kayla Han, a 12-year-old, is on a roll at the 2021 CA Speedo Grand Challenge in Irvine, CA this weekend. Following her day 1 performance in which she broke Claire Tuggle’s 11-12 girls National Age Group Record in the 400 free, Han came back on day 2 and shattered Elizabeth Beisel‘s NAG in the 400 IM.
Han took 2nd in the 400 IM, swimming a blistering 4:50.70, which marked a best time by 6.16 seconds. She also blew away the previous 11-12 girls NAG, which was held by Beisel at 4:55.35 from 2005. Unfortunately, Han’s splits for the race are currently unavailable, other than her 1:05.75 fly split, which is less than one-tenth of a second off her personal best.
With the swim, Han also picked up the U.S. Olympic Trials Wave I cut, which stands at 4:51.79. Han has now become the youngest Trials qualifier of this cycle, as she will turn 13 in June. It should also be mentioned that as a 12-year-old, Han is subject to USA Swimming’s restrictions on tech suits for 12 & unders, which can be found here. Assuming she enters at Trials next week, the restrictions on tech suits would not be in place, because USA Swimming allows 12&u swimmers to wear any competition-approved suit at national-level meets.
Why no mention of her in her own LSC Southern California Swimming? hmmmm….
Easy 10 second cut with a tech suit, LIGHTWORK. in all seriousness that’s actually insane, I can’t comprehend how people this young can be that fast.
She broke 11-12 800 free NAG, cutting it to 8:50.58.
Turns 13 in June, before or after the start of Trials Wave I? Before or after the start of Trials Wave II (if she makes it, Top 2 in each event will move on)?
On another note, I think that ALL Wave II cuts made at Wave I should be able to go to Wave II.
Before wave I starts
I swim with her cause we’re in the same scs I was supposed to be at the meet and one of my events was 400 im she would make me look so slow -_- she’s built different
Congratulations to Kayla, her family and her coaches!
She still be just a wee lass of 15 by time Paris rolls around
Race at 1h50 in the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxcM2Y31mwk
One thing I like is that she totally swims like a 12 year old (a super fast 12 year old!) and is circle swimming. Check out her backstroke – hugs one lane rope and after the turn jumps to the other one. And goes a 4:50!
Thanks for mentioning that! I’m a fan who appreciates learning about the development and technique of sports that aren’t my own, and “circle swimming” on backstroke and Elizabeth Beisel’s commentary on the multiple types of turns possible in an IM and how they’re developmentally progressive are new concepts to me. Thanks for helping me learn!