After setting one National Independent High School Record in the 200 IM on Friday, Penn Charter swimmer Reece Whitley got another one in the 100 breaststroke. This time it was not only an Independent High School Record, but an (unofficial) overall high school record as well.
That record was less than 24 hours old at that – Max McHugh from the Sturgeon Bay Co-Op in Wisconsin, who on Friday evening in prelims of the Wisconsin Division 2 state championship meet swam a 51.62. That in turn broke Whitley’s record of 51.84 done last year at this meet.
All that to say: Whitley now holds the National Independent High School Record and the overall high school record in the 100 yard breaststroke in 51.16, while McHugh holds the National Public School Record in 51.62.
Whitley also emerges with the USA Swimming 17-18 National Age Group Record as well.
Split comparisons, both to Whitley’s previous best swim, his previous high school best swim, and McHugh’s Friday-night effort.
| 1st 50 | 2nd 50 | Total Time | |
| Whitley previous PB | 24.67 | 27.14 | 51.81 |
| Whitley previous HS PB | 24.75 | 27.09 | 51.84 |
| Whitley New Record | 24.83 | 26.33 | 51.16 |
| McHugh Public School Record | 24.30 | 27.32 | 51.62 |
What really jumps out is that Whitley actually had a relatively-slow (by his standards) opening 50, but roared with a monstrous back-half that was .99 seconds faster than McHugh. For comparison, Whitley is 4 seconds faster than McHugh over 200 yards.
Watch a video of Whitley’s record-breaking swim below, courtesy Andrew Helber:
Are we SURE those splits are right? Whitley’s start is not great but still… only a 1.5 second drop-off??
Dressel 23.42 + 26.61 = 50.03
Cordes 23.58 + 26.46 = 50.04
Licon 23.88 + 26.80 = 50.68
Schwin 23.46 + 27.31 = 50.77
…
Whitley 24.83 + 26.33 = 51.16
you are trifilin
dressel: 3 strokes first 25; Whitley: 5. 4-5 inches height difference. Just sayin’
Reece’s biggest issue because he is so big has been stroke rate so for now taking more strokes and going faster is the better option. Reece could easily take two strokes the first 25 but it wouldn’t be faster.
Wow! Huge performance! I like that guy! He’s fun to watch swim. Congrats. Just the beginning.
UUGE
Whitley came back in a blazing 26.33, while Dressel’s last 50 was 26.61.
Video commentary was spot on. DAMN!
Well deserved water slap.
BOOM HUGE CONGRATS #hardworkpaysoff #TrustTheProcess
When you consider dive… he even split it. Is 26.33 the fastest closing split ever?