Finnie Whelehan Breaks Missy Franklin’s 13-14 National Age Group Record in 200 Freestyle (SCY)
A high school freshman has taken down a National Age Group record belonging to Olympic great Missy Franklin in the 13-14 age group. Finnie Whelehan, representing Green Hope High School in Cary, N.C., was the champion in the 200 freestyle at the North Carolina 8A State Championships Saturday, and she achieved the win in record-setting fashion.
Whelehan finished in 1:44.25 to surpass Franklin’s previous mark of 1:44.55 set in 2010. The time clobbered her previous best time of 1:45.87 set in November, and it came as part of a huge day for Whelehan. She also placed second in the 100 backstroke in 54.07 while taking part in relays that finished first and second. Whelehan led off Green Hope’s 400 free relay in 49.70, well under her previous best of 50.26.
This record knocked off Franklin’s lone remaining short course record in the 13-14 age group, but it gave a fourth record to swimmers representing the TAC Titans in USA Swimming competition. Claire Curzan continues to own the records in the 50 and 100 free plus the 100 butterfly.
Franklin, who won four Olympic gold medals plus one silver as a teenager at the 2012 Olympics, continues to hold seven National Age Group records. In short course, Franklin owns the 100 free record for the 11-12 age group plus the 200 free mark for 17-18 swimmers. In long course, Franklin’s records include the 50 free for 11-12s, 100 free and 200 backstroke in the 13-14 age group and the 200 free and 200 back for 15-16 swimmers.
