At the age of 11 years old Joel Crampton of the Tawa Swimming Club in Wellington, New Zealand has made a name for himself in the age group ranks in New Zealand putting up some very impressive times in the butterfly events.
Crampton, who turned 12 just over a week ago, won the 11 year old 100 butterfly and the 12 and under 200 butterfly at the recent Junior Nationals. This year he has posted times that are not only outstanding for a Kiwi, but are note worthy in any country.
All times are LCM; the 100 and 200 butterfly times are the fastest for an 11 year old in the history of swimming in New Zealand:
- 50 butterfly – 31.40
- 100 butterfly – 1:07.81
- 200 butterfly – 2:27.61 (top time for 12 and unders in New Zealand)
His times would top the 11 year old rankings in the United States for 2013-14. In 2012-13 his time in the 100 would have ranked fourth and his time in the 200 would have ranked ranked second in the United States.
New Zealand does not have national records for 11 year olds so Crampton will continue to chase the national marks for the 12 and under category:
12 and under National Records LCM:
- 50 butterfly – 28.97
- 100 butterfly – 1:04.97
- 200 butterfly – 2:22.61
Although he is still quite a ways off those records he has made incredible improvements over the last 12 months, over 20 seconds in the 200, four and a half seconds in the 100 and close to a second in the 50.
Crampton is coached by Jason McPhee who is the Head Coach of the Tawa Swimming Club. McPhee has been awarded with the Wellington Junior Coach of the Year three of the last four years and has lead the team to great improvements. At the start of his tenure the club had one Junior National qualifier, this year they had ten, with three athletes winning multiple national titles.
The team of 80 swimmers that brought 10 athletes to the most recent Junior Nationals finished fourth at the competition.
Thank you to Dave Crampton who writes for the New Zealand Herald for assistance with this story