14-year old Penn Charter Aquatic Club swimmer Reece Whitley has broken the National Age Group Record in the 100 meter breaststroke on the first night of the 2014 U.S. Junior National Championships.
Whitley swam a 1:03.23 in finals for the first National Age Group Record of the meet. It improved upon the 1:03.82 that he did at the Middle Atlantic Senior Championships two weeks ago. That swim broke Michael Andrew’s 1:03.83, which remains the second-fastest time in the age group history.
The swim gave Whitley the B-Final victory, placing him ahead of Michael Andrew, with whom he could have a big rivalry for a long time. Whitley is about 8 months younger than Andrew.
The comparative splits:
Whitley (old): 30.46/33.36 = 1:03.82
Whitley (new): 29.95/33.28 = 1:03.23
Whitley’s improvement in the last two weeks of his taper came mostly in the front half, as he’s now splitting under 30 seconds on the front-half. To make top 16 at senior Nationals, you almost have to start under 30 seconds. For what it’s worth, that time by Whitley would have gotten him into the B-Final at Nationals last year.
Congrats to him. One to watch for the future
Great time for both Whitley and Andrew, but I have a feeling Whitley will be more of a threat in the years to come.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca70G62mskY&list=UUznRyLyXK9QWHs05PK2MGBQ
RACE VIDEO!
Congrats to Mr Whitley.
The battle against Mr Andrew in the B-Final was fun to watch.
It’s a good time for the young US breaststrokers on the boys’ side.
Carsten Vissering, Gunnar Bentz, Connor Hope, Peter Kropp in the 17/18 age category.
Chandler Bray and Michael Andrew in the 15/16 age category.
Michael Andrew breaks 13/14 records and then Reece Whitley breaks them again.
Ethan Dang breaks 11/12 records and next year another kid named Keane Alejandro will probably break them again.
Finally the Whitley vs Andrew showdown we’ve been waiting for. Congrats to Mr Whitley – both these dynamos will be the ones to watch. Truly spectacular swim!!!!
Chandler Bray’s 1:02.8 makes earned him the title of the fastest 15 year old in the event, crazy time drop. I’m sure Reece will be at that level once he turns 15 (or sooner), but for now the breaststroke rivalry amongst the young men is now a 3 person affair.
Does Reece Whitley swim any other events other than the 100,200 Breaststrokes, and the 400 IM?
Man that young Reese Whitley is outstanding. Great swim! Also Michael Andrew went 1:03.49, his best time I think. Outstanding swim from him as well.