13 Year Old Claire Tuggle Blasts 4:41.36 500 Freestyle

Photo Courtesy: Swimming World

Thirteen year old sensation Claire Tuggle dropped an impressive five seconds from her lifetime best to outlast 15 year old Ashley Strouse and University of Georgia commit, and Marlins of Raleigh’s Madison Homovich and win the 500 freestyle at tonight’s NCSA Junior National Championships. Tuggle touched in 4:41.36.

Strouse finished in 4:41.78 while Homovich stopped the clock in 4:41.95. The race was tight the whole way. At the 200 mark they flipped in 1:52.38, 1:52.29, and 1:52.38 respectively).

At only 13, Tuggle is now only six seconds slower than Katie Ledecky‘s 13-14 National Age Group record. That time lands her fifth on the USA Swimming All Time top 100 times list for 13-14 girls, behind Ledecky, Courtney Harnish, Sippy Woodhead, Becca Mann. She sits ahead of Taylor Ruck (4:41.38), Regan Smith (4:41.93) and Missy Franklin (4:42.00).

At Thursday morning’s NCAA Division 1 prelims Tuggle would have touched 29th with that time.

Tuggle adds this time to the impressive 1:44.96 she posted en route to 200 freestyle gold last night.

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Beth Stanard

5 years ago

good for her!

Keven Henley

5 years ago

smh

Maureen Fluehr Carll

5 years ago

Amazing.Let her have fun,she’s still only 13!

Amy Lynn

5 years ago

Reply to Maureen Fluehr Carll

Swimming that fast IS fun.

Chantelle Telly Major Fields

5 years ago

Holy moley!!!

Mike Ferrari

5 years ago

good God.

Phil Mitchell

5 years ago

Jim Sharp this is in addition to the 200 free time I shared earlier today with you from the same young lady. I keep saying it, USA swimming looks extremely strong for 2020 and beyond.