In a thrilling display of aquatic prowess, 16-year-old swimming sensation Rylee Erisman has shattered the 15-16 National Age Group (NAG) record in the 200-yard freestyle event, leaving a legendary mark in the sport's history. But here's where it gets even more impressive...
At the 2025 Speedo Winter Junior Championships - East, Erisman touched the wall in an astonishing 1:40.93, obliterating the previous NAG record of 1:42.03 set by none other than the iconic Katie Ledecky in 2013. This new record is a testament to Erisman's extraordinary talent and dedication.
A closer look at the split times reveals the secret to Erisman's success. She exploded off the blocks, covering the opening 50 yards in a lightning-fast 23.46 seconds, a full 0.94 seconds quicker than Ledecky's split. This early lead set the tone for the entire race, as Erisman maintained her advantage throughout, even extending it by over 1.5 seconds at the 100-yard mark. And this is the part most people miss—it's not just about raw speed; it's about strategy and precision.
Erisman's performance places her second in the all-time 15-16 rankings for the girls' SCY 200 free, just behind Summer McIntosh's 1:40.63 from the 2022 Speedo Winter Juniors. Interestingly, McIntosh's time doesn't count towards NAG records as she represents Canada internationally, leaving Erisman as the undisputed American record-holder in this age group.
But the impact of Erisman's achievement goes beyond her age group. Her time would rank fourth in the 17-18 age group, surpassing even Ledecky's best time of 1:41.04 at that age. The current 17-18 NAG record, held by Missy Franklin at 1:40.31, is now within Erisman's reach as she continues to develop.
Erisman's future looks incredibly bright, as she is set to join the Cal women's team next fall, having reclassified from the class of 2027 to 2026. Her time from this event would place her third in the NCAA this season, behind only Anna Moesch of Virginia (1:40.25) and Minna Abraham of USC (1:40.47).
This record-breaking performance has undoubtedly solidified Erisman's status as a rising star in the swimming world. With her talent, dedication, and now a prestigious record under her belt, the swimming community eagerly anticipates her future achievements. And the question remains: How much faster can Rylee Erisman go? Will she continue to break records and challenge the very best in the sport? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—the swimming world has a new star to watch!
