Get ready for an exciting day at the 2025 Speedo Winter Junior Championships - West! The final day is here, and we're kicking things off at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin. Today, we'll witness preliminary heats in four diverse events for both boys and girls, promising an action-packed session.
The day begins with the 200 backstroke, followed by the 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, and 200 butterfly. Each event is sure to showcase the incredible talent and skill of these young swimmers.
Let's dive into the details and explore the top contenders in each category.
Girls' 200 Backstroke - Prelims
- West Record: 1:48.32 - Bella Sims (2022)
- Meet Record: 1:48.32 - Bella Sims (2022)
- 13-14 NAG Record: 1:50.95 - Charlotte Crush (2023)
- 15-16 NAG Record: 1:48.30 - Regan Smith (2018)
- 17-18 NAG Record: 1:47.16 - Regan Smith (2019)
The top qualifier is Sydney Schoeck from the CSP Tideriders, who clocked an impressive 1:53.65. Her time is currently the fastest, but she'll need to push herself to break her personal best of 1:52.37.
Seventeen-year-old Schoeck, an upcoming Texas Longhorn, has already made a splash at this meet. She upset Indiana commit Kayla Han in the 1000 free on night one and has since achieved two runner-up finishes in the 500 free and 400 IM, setting personal bests in all three events.
Maggie Dickson of the Schroeder Swim Team also broke the 1:56 barrier, finishing in 1:54.12. At just 15 years old, her best time stands at 1:53.40, and with her impressive 100 back performance yesterday, she could be a strong contender for the finals.
Hayden Gibson, an Arkansas commit, rounded out the top three with a time of 1:56.06. While she entered the meet as the second seed, she's yet to match her personal bests this week.
Boys' 200 Backstroke - Prelims
- West Record: 1:40.32 - Keaton Jones (2022)
- Meet Record: 1:39.62 - Daniel Diehl (2022)
- 13-14 NAG Record: 1:43.15 - Michael Andrew (2014)
- 15-16 NAG Record: 1:40.58 - Baylor Stanton (2024)
- 17-18 NAG Record: 1:37.35 - Ryan Murphy (2014)
Leading the pack is Joey Sudermann of the Fast Swim Team, who posted a swift 1:43.64. The 17-year-old Wyoming commit dropped a significant 3.12 seconds from his previous best, following up on his impressive 2.22-second improvement in the 200 IM.
Joshua Smith, a Wisconsin commit, was the only other boy to break 1:44, shaving 0.72 seconds off his personal best with a time of 1:43.75. He's already made two 'A' finals this week, finishing sixth in the 100 back and eighth in the 200 IM, both with personal best performances.
Brayden Capen of the Academy Bullets qualified third, finishing in 1:44.62, just outside his lifetime best. As the top seed, he'll need to swim his best to maintain his position in the finals.
Girls' 100 Freestyle - Prelims
- West Record: 46.29 - Abby Weitzeil (2014)
- Meet Record: 46.29 - Abby Weitzeil (2014)
- 13-14 NAG Record: 47.67 - Claire Curzan (2019)
- 15-16 NAG Record: 47.14 - Rylee Erisman (2024)
- 17-18 NAG Record: 46.09 - Simone Manuel (2015)
Jordan Ragland is on a roll, leading the boys' 100 free prelims with a time of 42.88, a remarkable improvement of over a second from his previous best.
Quicksilver Swimming's Nathan Foucu secured the second seed, while Sierra Marlins' Brody Chandler advanced in third. Both swimmers improved their personal bests, with Foucu slicing 0.52 seconds and Chandler dropping 14 one-hundredths.
Keep an eye on Ty Thomas of River City Aquatics and Miles Blackson-Dunbar from Beach Cities Aquatics, currently ranked fourth and seventh, respectively. Thomas, one of our top recruits for the class of 2027, has been on fire this week, breaking all his personal bests.
Boys' 100 Freestyle - Prelims
- West Record: 41.23 - Ryan Hoffer (2015)
- Meet Record: 41.23 - Ryan Hoffer (2015)
- 13-14 NAG Record: 43.51 - Thomas Heilman (2021)
- 15-16 NAG Record: 41.96 - Kaii Winkler (2023)
- 17-18 NAG Record: 41.23 - Ryan Hoffer (2015)
Girls' 200 Breaststroke - Prelims
- West Record: 2:06.81 - Lydia Jacoby (2022)
- Meet Record: 2:06.02 - Alex Walsh (2018)
- 13-14 NAG Record: 2:10.22 - Allie Szekely (2012)
- 15-16 NAG Record: 2:06.45 - Alex Walsh (2018)
- 17-18 NAG Record: 2:04.32 - Lydia Jacoby (2023)
Boys' 200 Breaststroke - Prelims
- West Record: 1:52.92 - Zhier Fan (2021)
- Meet Record: 1:52.12 - Josh Matheny (2019)
- 13-14 NAG Record: 1:55.52 - Reece Whitley (2014)
- 15-16 NAG Record: 1:52.37 - Reece Whitley (2016)
- 17-18 NAG Record: 1:51.38 - Josh Matheny (2020)
Girls' 200 Butterfly - Prelims
- West Record: 1:51.06 - Bella Sims (2022)
- Meet Record: 1:51.06 - Bella Sims (2022)
- 13-14 NAG Record: 1:54.33 - Audrey Derivaux (2024)
- 15-16 NAG Record: 1:51.24 - Regan Smith (2018)
- 17-18 NAG Record: 1:50.15 - Alex Shackell (2023)
Boys' 200 Butterfly - Prelims
- West Record: 1:40.01 - Luca Urlando (2018)
- Meet Record: 1:40.86 - Thomas Heilman (2022)
- 13-14 NAG Record: 1:42.77 - Thomas Heilman (2021)
- 15-16 NAG Record: 1:40.73 - Thomas Heilman (2023)
- 17-18 NAG Record: 1:40.39 - Aiden Hayes (2022)
Stay tuned for the thrilling finals later today! Who will emerge as the champions? Don't miss this opportunity to witness the future stars of swimming in action!
