Regan Smith, swimming in her first high school season at just 12 years old, has broken two National Age Group Records on Friday at the 2014 Section 2AA Girls Swimming & Diving Championships in Prior Lake, Minnesota.
She swam a 55.42 in the 100 yard fly and a 54.69 in the 100 yard backstroke for Lakeville North. Though Smith is only in 7th grade, Minnesota rules allow her to start competing for the high school team to which she is zoned this season, and she’s already a contender for the state titles.
The old record in the 100 fly of 55.51 was set by Ella Eastin in 2010, and the old record in the 100 back of 55.20 was her own set in the spring. The second-fastest 11-12 100 yard backstroker in history is still Alex Walsh at 55.25, who held this record for a few hours earlier this year before Smith took it back.
That time in the 100 yard backstroke exactly equals the qualifying standard for Summer Junior Nationals, which is her first time meeting a yards standard (she already has the 100 meter backstroke qualifying time).
Smith won’t turn 13 until the beginning of next year, which means that she’ll be able to get through the Minnesota High School State Championship and Minnesota Grand Prix, at least, before aging up.
As good as Smith is, and while she’ll be a factor at next week’s State Championship meet, it would still be a tall task to win an individual state title. Among the mountains she has to overcome is Minnesota commit Zoe Avestruz from Chanhassen high School, who won both the 100 fly (54.37) and 100 back (52.96) titles last year. Smith did beat Avestruz in both of her individual finals on Friday, however, so the state titles are a possibility – Avestruz was 56.1 in the 100 fly and 55.2 in the 100 back.
Smith also split 25.98 leading off Lakeville North’s 200 medley relay that finished 3rd and was a 52.55 to anchor their runner-up 400 free relay.
So is she actually enrolled in high school at age 12 or is there just some provision in MN that allows 12 yr olds to swim HS when not in HS?
Steve – the latter.
FYI…
100 Fly Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbdefRoFq1k
100 Back Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtZPaiu95fc
For all of the 10,000 plus members of Minnesota Swimming, Regan has been huge entertainment over the past few years. A local college coach’s jaw dropped when he watched her first break a minute – as a 10 year old!
We’re all delighted to see so many great swims coming from so many outstanding high school athletes. Stay tuned for more records at the State Championships later this week.
Re: Beating Zoe, Regan swam very well and won both races against her. But, to be fair to Zoe, she swam in a poly suit. Regan chose to throw on an old kneeskin. Neither shaved and neither are fully tapered. Zoe certainly must be confident about her chances next week at state. She’s eyeing Bootsma’s 100 Back National record. Regan doesn’t quite have that kind of power yet. It’ll be fun to watch.
Does shaving do a twelve year old girl any good anyway? Also though, kids tend to swim better untapered the younger they are. Oh, to be twelve again haha
Surprisingly, yes. Big difference. Taper is BIG at 12-13 much more so than when she was 10. Practicing 6 days a week for 2 1/2 hours was a lot for her. The rest has been huge. Some 12 year olds may be used to that schedule. But not Regan. She’s more accustomed to a balanced 4-5 days a week schedule. Should be faster at State this week.
Yeah, I guess I probably had a different type of practice schedule when I was twelve
Practicing 6 days a week for 2.5 hours a practice is a lot for ANY 12 year old. Hope she’s swimming fast at 16 and beyond!
I’m excited to watch it! I’m really glad she decided to swim high school. MN high school swimming has had some amazing female backstrokers in the past few years. It will be awesome to see Regan continuing the tradition.
😆
She’s a monster!
She was of course in my list of possible NAG record breakers this SCY season.
http://swimswam.com/agonswim-weekly-wonders-age-group-swimming-1082014/
Congrats champion!
Although it was Zoe Avestruz she beat last night in both events…
Kj – yes, yes it was. Good eye. If she beat Avestruz at state, and Avestruz goes anywhere near what she went last season…those times would be absolutely legendary.