Thanks to blueseventy, our presenting partner for Weekly Wonders of Age Group Swimming (October 4-6, 2019.).
Collin McKenzie, 15, Nation’s Capital Swim Clubb (NCAP-PV): 200 free, 1:45.40 – Fifteen-year-old Collin McKenzie entered 2019 with a best time of 1:48.92 in the 200 free. He swam it twice in early 2019, going 1:52.09 and 1:48.72. Then last weekend, at the 2019 PV Senior Kick Off Meet – his first swim of the 2020 season – McKenzie went 1:45.40. He also went a best time in the 500 free, 200 back and 400 IM.
Alexis Mesina, 11, Pleasanton Seahawks (PLS-PC): 100 breast, 1:06.28 – A then-10-year-old Alexis Mesina had a best time of 1:14.10. By mid-2018, she brought that down to 1:11, and by the start of 2019, 1:08. She was 1:07.32 by March, and last weekend, went a lifetime best of 1:06.28. Mesina also went a best time in the 100 free (56.31) and 50 fly (28.21).
Harry Belbot, 12, North Baltimore Aquatic Club (NBAC-MD): 100 fly, 58.66 – A then-10-year-old Harry Belbot had a best time of 1:08.81 entering 2018 in the 100 fly. By December of that year, he brought his time down to 1:02.31, and by April 2019, was 1:02.22. Last weekend, Belbot blew away the 1:00-barrier, going 58.66, a new quadruple-A time. At the same meet, he went best times in the 50 free, 50 back, 100 back, 50 breast, 100 breast, 50 fly, 100 fly and 100 IM.
Alana Barthel, 16, Aulea Swim Club (AUL-HI): 200 back, 2:01.49 – Sixteen-year-old Alana Barthel ended 2018 with a best time of 2:02.24 in the 200 back. It multiple attempts early in the year, she did not improve on that mark. Then last weekend at the 2019 HI Senior Meet, she dropped to 2:01.49. She also went a best time in the 100 back, 1000 free and 400 IM.
Charles Lee, 13, Issaquah Swim Team (IST-PN): 200 IM, 2:03.90 – Charles Lee has been steadily chipping away at his 200 IM time since October 2018. That month, he went 2:12.41, and by the end of the year, 2:09.27. Lee opened 2019 with a 2:08 performance, then dropped to 2:04.29 in March. Last weekend at the 2019 SMAC October Challenge, he went 2:03.90
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