The 2025 Speedo Winter Junior Championships – West is heating up, and day 4 prelims are about to make a splash! But first, let's dive into the thrilling events of the previous days.
Day 2 and 3 Recap:
The competition has been fierce, with records broken and young athletes making their mark. On day 2, the girls' 200 backstroke prelims saw Sydney Schoeck from CSP Tideriders take the lead with a time of 1:53.65, a promising start to the final. Schoeck, a rising star, has already impressed with her upset win in the 1000 free and two runner-up finishes. Meanwhile, Maggie Dickson from Schroeder Swim Team clocked an impressive 1:54.12, hinting at a potential record-breaking performance later in the day.
In the boys' 200 backstroke prelims, Joey Sudermann from Fast Swim Team dominated with a time of 1:43.64, a significant improvement from his previous best. Joshua Smith, an 18-year-old Wisconsin commit, also stood out, making it to the 'A' finals in two other events with personal best times.
Day 3 Highlights:
The excitement continued on day 3, with Jordan Ragland leading the boys' 100 freestyle prelims. Ragland, a Cal commit, demolished his best time by over a second, setting the stage for a potential sprint double. Nathan Foucu and Brody Chandler also impressed, grabbing the second and third seeds, respectively.
But here's where it gets controversial: Ty Thomas and Miles Blackson-Dunbar, both highly ranked recruits, are ones to watch despite being seeded outside the top three. Thomas, from our 'Way Too Early' list, has been on fire, smashing his PBs. And Blackson-Dunbar, a Tennessee commit, is looking to make a statement after a strong performance in the 50 freestyle.
As we head into day 4, the stage is set for more thrilling races. The girls' 200 backstroke final will be a battle between Schoeck and Dickson, while the boys' 200 backstroke will see Sudermann and Smith vying for the top spot. The 100 freestyle finals will be a showcase of speed, with Ragland, Foucu, and Chandler leading the charge.
Stay tuned as we bring you live updates from the pool, where records may fall and new stars will rise. Who will shine in the final day of this exciting junior championship? Let the competition begin!
