Legendary NAG Records of Bobby Hackett and Mary T. Meagher Will Be Under Fire at Nationals
They are two of the most-iconic National Age Group (NAG) records in history. Want proof? They have endured for a combined 91 years, an inordinate amount of time in a sport that continually pushes boundaries. The fact that these standards have survived as long as they have speaks to the legendary and precocious nature of their owners – Bobby Hackett and Mary T. Meagher.
At the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, where the United States fielded the greatest team the sport has seen, Hackett claimed the silver medal in the 1500-meter freestyle. With a time of 15:03.91, the 16-year-old finished behind American teammate Brian Goodell, who set a world record with a swim of 15:02.40. Hackett’s time remains the NAG record in the 15-16 classification.
Five years later, while racing at the 1981 United States Nationals in Brown Deer, Wisconsin, a 16-year-old Meagher unleashed a 2:05.96 world record in the 200 butterfly. That effort stood as the global standard for nearly 19 years and would be highly competitive in present-day competition. Meagher’s time still stands as the NAG record in the 15-16 category.
For all their longevity, there is a chance that one or both of these renowned NAG records will not survive the week ahead, when the U.S. Nationals unfold at the Indiana University Natatorium.
The opening day of action in Indy will feature finals in the men’s 1500 freestyle and women’s 200 butterfly, where 16-year-old Luka Mijatovic and 15-year-old Audrey Derivaux loom as threats to NAG history. Mijatovic is entered in multiple distance-freestyle events at Nationals and is the eighth seed in the 1500 free. Meanwhile, Derivaux is the No. 4 seed in the 200 fly, one of several events she will contest during the five-day meet.
Mijatovic has been widely viewed as the next distance star for the United States and most recently set an NAG record in the 500-yard freestyle, thanks to a performance of 4:10.96. At last summer’s Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Australia, Mijatovic went 15:15.95 in the 1500 freestyle, the fastest American time in the event by a 15-year-old.
As he chases Hackett’s vaunted record, slicing 12 seconds from his personal best might seem like a daunting task for Mijatovic, who trains with the Pleasanton Seahawks in Northern California. But it’s been almost a year since he went 15:15 and he has trimmed considerable time in other events, suggesting a sizable drop is within reach. The fact that Mijatovic will race in the fastest heat during Night One finals, where two-time Olympic champ Bobby Finke will be in Lane Four, will provide ample competition.
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In the case of Derivaux, she is entered in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:07.70, but she has been much quicker. In early May, Derivaux finished third in the event at the TYR Pro Series stop in Fort Lauderdale, going 2:06.46. That outing put the youngster, of the Jersey Wahoos, within a half-second of Meagher’s iconic record.
Last summer, Derivaux gained valuable experience while racing at the United States Olympic Trials at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis. The week featured several strong swims, and included an appearance in the final of the 400 individual medley. She also competed at Junior Pan Pacs, where she was the gold medalist in the 100 butterfly and 200 fly. Given her consistent improvement, seeing Derivaux visit 2:05 territory in the 200 fly wouldn’t be a shock, and would likely mean breaking Meagher’s longstanding NAG record.
For almost a combined century, Bobby Hackett and Mary T. Meagher have reigned as NAG record-holders in the 15-16 age group. They are Olympians whose talents were clearly ahead of their time, and their record performances have been pursued without success. This week at Nationals, though, Luka Mijatovic and Audrey Derivaux might have answers to unsolvable puzzles.
This latest chase will serve as an intriguing storyline.
Bobby Hackett’s swimming career faded after the 1980 OG boycott (politics always ruins it for the athletes) He ROCKED!!!!. BTW, Luka turned 16 last month. .maybe chat about the conversion SCY to LCM ‘expectations’ especially for Luka. His 1650yd FR: 14:37 converts to a 15min FLAT for his 1500M FR (here’s hoping), his 1000yd FR of 8:42.45 converts his 800M FR to a 7:48! (whoa!!!)..and his 500yd FR of 4:10.91 converts to a 3:45 flat on his 400M FR (let’s GO!). .let’s SEE how “ON” he will be. Gotta trick the mind & double time his kick in the middle of the pool-simulate flip turns/push off?
BTW, Mary T has not been talked about ENOUGH since the 80s. Thanks for bringing her up. She will always be OUR Madam Butterfly. . but in the good way. Go Audrey!