Watch out Michael Phelps

7-year-old sets state swim record

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

Click here to enlarge this photo Submitted photo Seven-year-old Anthony Nguyen came up just short of breaking Michael Phelps' 1993 record in the 25-yard backstroke. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

The Potomac Raiders of Charles County are setting new state records in the pool and it starts with 7-year-old Anthony Nguyen.

Nguyen is leading the way as the Waldorf resident set a new state record Oct. 31 in the 10-U 50-yard backstroke with a time of 34.57 seconds, beating William Pelton's record of 35.02.

"Anthony has the ability at a young age to focus on what I'm instructing him to do and he retains well," Potomac Raiders co-head coach Debbie Roth said. "It helps that he has older brothers that swim. They are all supportive of each other and encourage each other."

Pelton beat Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps' 50-yard back record set in 1994, and now Nguyen has surpassed Pelton.

"He's set an official new Maryland state swimming record," Potomac Raiders co-head coach Steve Roth said. "I'm very excited and proud of a great many of my swimmers. Our membership is at an all-time high. Our meet participation is at an all-time high, and I don't think we've had a meet in the last 12 months where we have not had a club record broken."

A dual meet with Great Mills Aquatic Club on Nov. 14 at Lackey High School gave the Raiders another chance to shine.

Nguyen attempted to break Phelps' 1993 record in the 25 back (16.17), but came up just short, touching the wall at 16.54, partly due to the starting position.

"He finished with an extra stroke, which might account for four-tenths of a second based on his typical stroke rate," Steve Roth said. "Maryland swimming has strict guidelines for record attempts. Any record must have electronic timing to eliminate human error and the referee required the 8-U events to start at the shallow end without starting blocks. Normally, Tony would streamline 10 yards before his breakout cycle. On his record attempt he broke out at six to eight yards."

The Raiders had 155 personal records, five individual club records and four relay records broken during the dual meet, due in part the 88 swimmers who competed.

Nguyen set a new club record for the 100 freestyle with a time of 1:10.52 and the 50 breaststroke (42.07). Andrew Nguyen, Anthony's brother, also set a new club record for the 10-U 100 back with a time of 1:07.65 and in the 100 breast (1:15.91).

Four team relay records were set in the pool. The 9- to 10-year-old girls 200 medley relay consisting of Carla Arquero, Merriam Hagadorn, Mo Elia and Chase McClure finished in 2:36.42.

The 11-12 girls set a new team record in the 200 medley relay in 2:15.73 with Noemi Arquero, Hannah Hagadorn, Kourtney Miller and Madison Roth.

The boys were in full form as well, setting a team record for the 11-12 boys in the 200 medley relay with a time of 2:19.76 as well as the 200 free relay (2:00.96) with the team of Ricardo Bonilla-Vazquez, Andrew Nguyen, Jullian Bonilla-Vazquez and Myles Ellis.

All eyes will be on Anthony Nguyen in his pursuit of one of the best swimmers in the world.

"As far as my hopes for Anthony in the future, I remain an optimist," Steve Roth said. "I want him to continue to have a ‘love affair' for what he's doing, and I believe in giving swimmers and swimmers' families ownership of their careers."

tshowalter@somdnews.com