12-year old Juan Pupo Buch from Coast Aquatics broke an 11-12 Southeastern Swimming LSC record in the 50 free formerly held by storied age group swimmer Chas Morton. Buch swam a time of 22.82 at the Ralph Crocker Classic on Jan. 15th, breaking Morton’s record time of 22.84 set in 1984.
Morton’s last short course yards national age group record was his 11-12 100 fly from 1984, which was broken in 2019 by Thomas Heilman. The time also ranks Buch tied for 46th all-time in 11-12 age group history in the event.
Buch’s best time in the 50 prior to breaking Morton’s record was a 22.98 set in December. Buch is also close to breaking Morton’s LSC record in the 50 fly. Morton’s record time is 24.50 in that race, while Buch has been 25.08 this season.
Buch now has the fastest 50 freestyler in the 11-12 age group this season. Buch’s 50 fly ranks third this season, according to the SWIMS database.
Morton still holds seven 11-12 records in Southeastern Swimming. In addition to the 50 fly, Morton’s records stand in the 100, 200, and 500 frees, 100 back, 100 fly, and 200 IM.
At one point, Morton held every 11-12 national age group record. The last national age group record that Morton still holds is in the 11-12 100 fly in long course. In that race he swam a 58.74 back in 1983.
As a 17-year old at the 1988 Olympic trials, Morton finished 10th in the 400 IM. Morton swam college at Stanford University, where he was a PAC-12 champion and helped Stanford to an NCAA team title. He decided not to swim at the 1992 Olympic trials because they took place only two weeks before the NCAA championships and he wanted to focus on winning another team title instead. Stanford beat Texas by 250 points that year.
Buch will have an opportunity to improve his 50 free record and to go after the 50 fly at the SES Championships which will be held Feb. 25th – Feb. 27th.
Very true, Colin Clement is not that fast, that was someone mistake registering his time, I checked his meets results and that time is just impossible for him. Juan Pupo Buch is the fastest 11-12 years old kid in USA right now since the end of last year. Congratulations to Juan that is also very close to break another’s record and probably he will be able to drop more that 50 free.
I’m gobsmacked by the sentence, “At one point Chas Morton held EVERY 11-12 Age Group Record.” And we are talking about the USA, not Nigeria, where swimming probably isn’t a major sport. Mr. Morton was unbelievable! Congrats to Juan, and I hope we’ll here more from him in the years ahead!
I don’t think Colin clemens went 21.98, just look at this times. 40 50 free and drops down to 21 and goes back to 37.
Very true, Colin Clement is not that fast, that was someone mistake registering his time. Juan Pupo Buch is the fastest 11-12 kid in USA right now since the end of last year. Congratulations to Juan that is also very close to break another’s record and probably he will be able to drop more that 50 free. Good catch!