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Levenia Sim Breaks Regan Smith’s National Age Group Record in 50 Back

12-year old Levenia Sim of TNT Swimming in Daphne, Alabama has broke the National Age Group Record in the 11-12 girls’ 50 yard backstroke. Racing on Saturday at the Dothan Dolphins Water World Classic, she touched in 25.65, which undercut Regan Smith‘s National Age Group Record of 25.69 from 2014.

Smith has gone on to set World Junior Records and won a 2018 Pan Pacific Championships bronze medal in the 200 back as part of the US Senior National Team.

Sim’s previous best time in the event was 26.10, which was the existing Southeastern Swimming LSC Record.

Sim’s other results at the sprint-oriented meet:

  • 25 free – 10.87
  • 25 breast – 14.04
  • 50 fly – 25.22

Her best time in the 100 yard back is 57.77 and in the 200 she’s been 2:11.98. She’s also been 56.10 in the 100 fly.

She ages up later this month, so this was likely her last, or one of her last, opportunities to race as an 11-12. TNT Swimming is led by Jan Mittemeyer.

Sim is one of only 2 National Age Group Record holder from the state of Alabama, as far as we could tell. Future Olympian Chloe Sutton was living in Alabama and swimming with the Hoover Blue Thunder Swim team when she broke her 11-12 National Age Group Records in the 1000 yard (9:57.33) and 1650 yard (16:34.33) freestyles also in the 11-12 age group. Her father was an officer in the U.S. Air Force, so she moved frequently as a child.

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Nicole Amare
5 years ago

Great job! We are so proud of you Levenia! Keep working hard.

Kristen Laraway
5 years ago

Congratulations Levenia! You represent South Alabama well!! Looking forward to watching you break more records!!

Parker Brandt
5 years ago

Congrats Levenia!!

Philip Kraus
5 years ago

Congrats to Levenia and Coach Jan!!!

Hswimmer
5 years ago

Great times! But, how can she go 10.87 and only 25.09 in the 50? She should be at least 23 mid

Tupperware
Reply to  Hswimmer
5 years ago

I’m guessing if she’s also a backstroker that she’s got some wicked underwaters – easier to carry momentum for underwaters off a start than a turn.

Daboss
Reply to  Tupperware
5 years ago

All this underwater work is so dangerous! These children could pop a lung or worst

Nswim
Reply to  Hswimmer
5 years ago

Could’ve also only suited up for one day, not including the day of the 50 free

SWIMStrong
Reply to  Hswimmer
5 years ago

I am pretty sure she went 23.9 in her 50 free. She wasn’t the lead off, she went second.

Hswimmer
Reply to  SWIMStrong
5 years ago

Makes more sense! Thanks

Jan Mittemeyer
Reply to  Hswimmer
5 years ago

She was mistakenly credited with leading off the relay. She actually went second and went 24.1 with a relay take off.

Marsh
5 years ago

Wow. A 12 year old could beat me with ease. Good on her.

Wow
5 years ago

Weren’t tech suits banned for use if you are a 12 & under?

Nswim
5 years ago

Great job! Wish I could suit up for 25s, that would be so much fun

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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