This past weekend at the 2013 Far Western Short Course Championships, the 11-12 boys from Irvine NovAquatics had a heck of a meet. They closed the meet by breaking a 16-year old Southern California Swimming record in the 200 free relay, where they swam a 1:37.03 (including a 23.35 anchor from Hunter Hitchens).
Before that, they got an even bigger record: Owen Kao, Shawn Lou, Kevin Tu, and Hunter Hitchens combined for a 3:30.75 in the 400 free relay, which shaved .08 off of the old 11-12 National Age Group Record of 3:30.83.
The old record was held by Oregon’s Tualatin Hill Swim Club just last year.
The splits on the scoreboard and official results were off, but by the coach’s watches, it was roughly three 53’s from the first three legs, and a 50.6 from Hitchens on the anchor.
This same group of four swimmers swam a relay on each of the meet’s four nights, and in the process broke four meet records.
Breaking a national record is a moment of pride for any athlete. Congratulations to that quartet in pulling off the impressive feat.
Congratulations to those boys! Just watched the video clip on that race. Hitchens demonstrated some nice stroke mechanics and efficiency. Obviously he has been simulating race speeds by doing broken swims. His 500 free had a steady kick, but knows how to use his optimal stroke rate in his build as each lap went on.
When I was a teenage Irvine had maybe 2 or 3 high schools, the powerhouse for guys was Foothill high school which had Steve Furness, Bruce Furness and other national level swimmers.
Why do everyone of your comments seem to be irrelevant?
We’re goin to kill them on the Northwood Team!!!
Very very proud of these four young men. They have a lot to be excited for especially when three of the four will one day attend the same high school. I think more records are in the future! Best of all, all four are good friends.
Well, its interesting your grandson is still in Orange County many of his generation the parents moved from expensive Orange County to cheaper places in Arizona or Texas. His parents moved maybe from the east to the west and now the pattern is to moved from California to Nevada, Arizona or Texas or Colorado or Washington.
Watched many of the prelims and finals from Cambridge, Md.
Way to go team !!! Those finals were really exciting to watch !!
Way to go Hunter Hitchens !!!!!!!!!!!! ( Have to brag, he is my grandson)