Not that anybody's ever made this mistake, but the newly-renamed NCAP program, formerly CUBU, reaches its success with junior swimmers far beyond Olympic Champion Katie Ledecky. The latest is 16-year old Janet Hu, who in prelims of Thrusday's first day of the 2012 USA Swimming Winter Nationals, in short course yards, broke the 15-16 National Age Group Record in the 50 free.
Hu has been making waves since last year's winter rest meet, the Tom Dolan Invitational, but this sudden explosion in the 50 was still a big surprise. Her previous best time was just 22.77, meaning that in a single swim she jumped from 25th to 1st all-time in the age group. She's also a fantastic backstroker and butterflier, so watch for the 100 yard races of those events later in the meet.
The old record was held by the Baylor School's Kristen Vredeveld in 22.17. Just as Olivia Smoliga (who also was a 22.13 in prelims) broke the National High School Record this year, Hu, a sophomore, could make short work of it in two seasons. She's just a junior in high school.
1. 22.13 Janet Hu
2. 22.17 Kristen Vredeveld
3. 22.24 Maddy Schaefer
4. 22.25 p Missy Franklin4
5. 22.36 Matthew Horner 2011
6. 22.39 Amanda Weir 2003