Zoe Avestruz Leads 100 Back High School All-Americans By Slim Margin

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Zoe Avestruz barely managed to keep Carmel High School from claiming the top spot in the girls 100 backstroke on the list of high school All-Americans for the 2014-2015, beating Claire Adams by one hundredth of a second. On the boys side, Michael Thomas and John Shebat posted the only swims under 47 seconds during the season.

Our 11-part NISCA All-American Showcase is highlighting each event on the high school swimming schedule, and Swimming World is proud to partner with the National Interscholatic Swim Coaches Association to provide a global spotlight on high school swimming in the United States.

Avestruz, a senior at Chahassen High School in Minnesota, won the state championship with a lifetime best 51.98 in November. Three months later, Adams won the same event at the Indiana state meet with a personal best 51.99 for the top two times in the nation. Both were within reach of Olivia Smoliga’s national high school record of 51.43 from 2012. Adams will be back next season to chase Smoliga’s record again.

In addition to Avestruz and Adams, three others broke 53 seconds to round out a competitive list. Elise Haan (52.60), Hannah Whiteley (52.98) and Sonia Wang (52.99) all posted lifetime best to rank in the top five nationally.

Girls 100 Backstroke National Top 8 (Mobile users: Click the “+” to expand content)

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After being denied the top of the rankings in the 200 individual medley, Hatboro Horsham High School’s Michael Thomas reigns in the 100 backstroke high school All-Americans roster with a 46.19 from the Pennsylvania state championships. He needed to be that fast to hold off the 46.71 from Oakton High School’s John Shebat. Both were the only two performances under 48 seconds this season to put a cap to their high school careers.

Ethan Young of Dalton High School was the sole swimmer in the 47-second range this year, posting a 47.47 at the Georgia state championships. Fourteen swimmers behind Young were in the 48-second range to show the depth of young talent in the backstroke.

Boys 100 Backstroke National Top 8 (Mobile users: Click the “+” to expand content)

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2014-15 NISCA Girls High School All-Americans

2014-15 NISCA Boys High School All-Americans

NOTE: In order to be considered for All America selection, swimmers must qualify with a time standard and an application must be submitted to NISCA. See the NISCA website (www.niscaonline.org) for more information about time standards and application submission. Corrections can also be submitted to NISCA via three emails: Boys Swimming contact: boysswaa@niscaonline.org; Girls Swimming contact: girlsswaa@niscaonline.org; Boys and Girls Diving contact: aadiving@niscaonline.org

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