Thanks to blueseventy, our presenting partner for Weekly Wonders of Age Group Swimming (September 7-15, 2019).
Kaitlyn Lee, 11, Mesa Aquatics (MESA-CA): 200 free, 2:03.50 – Entering 2019, a then-10-year-old Kaitlyn Lee held a best time of 2:16.27 in the 200 yard free. In seven attempts this year, she’s gone a best time in all but one. By February, her time was down to 2:14.55, and then in March, 2:11.04. In April, she dropped all the way to 2:06.96, and then went 2:03.50 last weekend in her first swim in the 11-12 age group.
Lucas Brunett, 14, Palm Desert Swim Clubs (PDSC-CA): 100 fly, 54.40 – Fourteen-year-old Lucas Brunett has only raced four 100 flys in his career, all of which came in the last 18 months. In his first attempt, in September 2018, he was 59.33. In November, he went 56.71. His only prior swim in 2019 was in January, when he was back up at 59.22. But then last weekend, he went 54.40.
Alex Shackell, 12, Rockwood Swim Club (RSCA-OZ): 200 IM, 2:17.62 – Alex Shackell entered 2018 with a best time of 2:33.80 in the 200 IM. In only one swim last year, in late November, he dropped nearly 11 seconds to 2:22.90. In his only swim of 2019 so far, last weekend, he went 2:17.62 for a triple-A cut. At the same meet, the 2019 RCA Open Air Classic, he went additional best times in the 100 free, 100 back, 5o fly, 100 fly and 100 IM.
Juan Zapata, 18, Azura Florida Aquatics (AZFL-FG): 500 free, 4:40.41 – Eighteen-year-old Juan Zapata had only race three 500 freestyles since he was 14 – one when he was 15, 16 and 17 – before two weekends ago. In his age 15 swim, he went 4:53.47; as a 16-year-old he was 4:47.77; then as a 17-year-old, back up at 4:51.10. But at the 2019 Coral Spring Open invite on September 5, he went 4:40.41, hitting a triple-A cut.
Keira Edralinda, 11, Max Aquatics (MAX-CA): 100 breast, 1:11.17 – Eleven-year-old Keira Edralinda went 1:15.23 in the 100 breast in December 2018, then .06 faster in February 2019. In her only other swim this year before last weekend, she went 1:16.81. At the 2019 Commerce Aquatics meet Friday, she dropped down to 1:11.77, a triple-A cut. Edralinda has been the fastest 11-12-year-old in the country through the first two weeks of this season, and fastest 11-year-old by well over five seconds.
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Aptly named to suggest 70% of the earth is covered in water, blueseventy is the world leader in technical triathlon, open water and pool swimming products. Since 1993, we design, test, refine and craft wetsuits and swim skins using superior materials and revolutionary details that equate to comfort, freedom from restriction and ultimately a competitive advantage in the water. blueseventy products have instilled confidence in beginners as well as carried world-class athletes to countless Olympic and World victories.
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