On Friday evening at the IUPUI Natatorium in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Washington Township Swim Club boys got the National Age Group Record in the 200 meter free relay (1:39.56), but later in the session came up just a hair short in the 200 medley relay (1:52.89).
On Saturday, however, they took another swing at the latter of those records and smashed it, swimming a 1:51.48. That broke the record officially held by KING at 1:52.78 by over a second – a similar margin to the 200 free relay on Friday; and also were faster than the yet-unofficial 1:52.17 done just a week ago by the Cincinnati Marlins.
The team of Jackson Miller (29.43), Andrew Couchon (31.00), Drew Kibler (26.17), and Parker Hershberger (24.88) roared to the record.
The old mark was set in 2012, where Thomas Anderson (27.87), Mitch Hovis (32.18), Koppi Kolyvek (26.95) and Zach Johnson (25.78) put up a record at the PNS Long Course Championships as part of a very good weekend of swimming for that team.
In the race against the clock (and as a time trial, that’s basically what this was) they were in a huge hole after the backstroke leg as compared to King – and nobody can blame them, because Anderson’s lead-off leg two years ago was awesome.
The rest of the group made that up in a hurry, including more than a sec0nd on the breaststroke leg from Couchon.
The comparison is similar when stacked against the Marlins’ relay, though the Marlins didn’t get quite as fast of a lead-off as KING had on the original record.
The Washington Township 13-14 boys were also going after the 400 meter medley relay record, swimming to a 3:42.0. That record is 3:40.75.
It was teally cool to witness how the vision and belief from a great coaching staff can unify a group of swimmers and will them to achieve something beyond what they might do individually. Regardless of when records get broken, moments like those last forever. Congratulations swimmers and coaches!
Braden – since the meet information says “no time trials will be offered” will this swim be officially recognized? Just wondering…
Wondering – I talked to one of the Washington Township coaches, and he said they asked the meet referee, the meet director from the Carmel Swim Club, and the LSC leaders. The above met and decided to offer time trials for those attempting Nationals cuts or National Age Group Records immediately after finals ended.
Still wondering… Since time-trial swims are not allowed as selection times to the National Junior Team or National Team, I wonder why they are allowed for NAG records??
Still Wondering, by that same logic, “they are allowed for Nationals and Junior Nationals qualifying times, so they should be allowed for NAG Records.”
The logic for not allowing them for a National Team selection, I would guess, is that National Teams are chosen by placing, so everyone should be able to race the people against whom they’re competing for the spot. Time Standards and records are based on a clocking, so being head-to-head isn’t as directly pertinent.
fun to watch! congrats swimmers & coaches on a great year!
GREAT job by WTSC this past weekend, you all rocked!
GREAT weekend for WTSC all around, so proud of our kiddos!