Elliot Leasure Blasts NAG (13-14) Record in 100 Backstroke at Junior Nationals
Rochester Swim Club’s Elliot Leasure has enjoyed a phenomenal stretch in the long-course pool, but what the Minnesota standout managed on Wednesday night was stunning. Racing in the final of the 100-meter backstroke at the United States Junior National Championships in Irvine, California, Leasure became the first 14-year-old to break the 55-second barrier in the event.
Already the National Age Group (NAG) record-holder in the 100 backstroke, Leasure took his standard down to 54.92, an effort that secured the gold medal. Leasure needed nearly every hundredth of his record swim, as he was followed to the wall by Grant Bellin (55.03) and Jonathan Packles (55.04). Benjamin Jaggers was fourth in 55.22.
Leasure was in third place at the turn, behind an opening 50 meters of 26.68. But Leasure turned in a back half of 28.24 to pull out the victory and set a record. Leasure previously set the NAG record in the event at 55.26 in late July and in June became the first swimmer of his age to go sub-56 in the 100 backstroke. Now, Leasure is the only 14-year-old to go sub-56 and sub-55.